VHCA-VCAL received an update from Kim Beazley, deputy director of the VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC), on nursing home surveyor testing for COVID-19.

Currently, CMS has stated that they do not have a policy on surveyor testing and are following CDC guidelines. CMS also stated that surveying is essential work. CMS does not consider surveyors as contractors or visitors. In addition, OLC has the following to add: 

• surveyors are performing daily self-screening
• surveyors participate in reasonable facility screening protocols upon arrival
• surveyors have been trained in how to don and doff PPE
• surveyors performing onsite surveys have been fit tested for N-95 masks
• surveyors are wearing full PPE, including N95 masks, gowns, gloves, face shields, bonnets, and shoe coverings
• surveyors do not have direct contact with residents while conducting the focused infection control surveys
• surveyors are practicing social distancing while in facilities
• surveyors’ time in facilities is limited while conducting the focused infection control surveys
  

OLC continues to follow current guidance from CMS. In addition, to date, VDH has not initiated a policy for testing OLC surveyors, epidemiology staff and local health department staff who all provide onsite assistance and oversight to nursing homes.