Twenty-six states did not have mandates for routine COVID-19 testing of inspectors, the WSJ report determined, with significant variations between states: New Hampshire and New Jersey have a voluntary testing program, for instance, while others are in the process of creating formal testing requirements. Individual State Survey Agencies (SSAs) are responsible for inspecting nursing homes on behalf of the federal government. Advertisement“Of course they should be tested,” University of Chicago researcher R. Tamara Konetzka told the Journal. “Surveyors by definition need to be in the facility and observing things…PPE is not foolproof.”The WSJ story came on the heels of a Los Angeles Times report in late July alleging that California inspectors were sent into nursing homes without COVID-19 tests. Verma told the WSJ that surveyors follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines regarding the use of personal protective equipment, and additionally must undergo screening at each nursing home.

Source: Wall Street Journal August 16, 2020 16:52 UTC