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CMS Updates Nursing Home Vistation Guidance FAQ

On February 2, 2022, CMS updated its visitation guidance FAQ, stressing that facilities must permit visitation regardless of visitor’s vaccination status “if the visitor does not report COVID-19 symptoms or meet the criteria for quarantine.” The FAQ includes new recommendations for improving ventilation and air quality to help reduce risk of spread. These recommendations include:

• Adding ultraviolet germicidal irradiation to the HVAC system
• Adding portable room air cleaners with HEPA filters to communal areas
• Adding portable fans close to open windows to pull room air outside and pull outdoor air inside
• Using ceiling fans at low velocity in reverse-low direction
• Opening windows when practicable

Visitation FAQ