Published by SMK Medical | Your Partner in Compliance, Auditing, and MDS Support

On July 30, 2025, CMS released a revised guidance memo—QSO-25-23-ALL—with updates related to the expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). While the changes are minimal, every long-term care facility should take a moment to review, realign, and adjust their internal policies and procedures accordingly.

📌 Key Takeaways from the July 2025 CMS Memo:

• Focused Infection Control (FIC) surveys are no longer required in FY2024.
• Emergency Preparedness testing exemptions have ended—full compliance is now expected.
• COVID-19 vaccine education requirements remain active through May 21, 2024.
• NHSN COVID-19 reporting continues through December 31, 2024.

These updates might seem small, but surveyors won’t ignore them—and neither should you.

🔍 What Should You Do?

Review your current:

• Emergency preparedness training cycles
• Infection control documentation
• MDS admissions tracking (especially for PASARR and 3-day QHS compliance)
• Internal reporting practices aligned with NHSN

And most importantly, update your Policies and Procedures to reflect the current expectations.

✅ SMK Medical Is Here to Help

SMK Medical works with long-term care facilities across the country to ensure survey readiness, regulatory compliance, and optimized revenue.

We specialize in:

• Mock Surveys with real-time feedback and post-visit planning
• MDS Completion & Auditing to prevent costly errors
• Policy Reviews to align with the latest CMS requirements
• Turnkey LTC Consulting with solutions tailored for administrators, DONs, and regional teams

📞 Don’t wait until a citation arrives. Call 313-314-8267 or visit smkmedical.com to schedule your mock survey or MDS review today.

Tags: CMS QSO Memo, LTC Compliance, Nursing Home Audit, MDS Help, QSO-25-23-ALL, Infection Control, Mock Survey, SMK Medical, LTC Consulting, Nursing Home Regulations, Emergency Preparedness, NHSN Reporting