AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

2005 NH "Dear Administrator " Letters

May 25, 2005

ADSA: NH #2005-012
Changes in Federal Regulatory Language
Urinary Incontinence and Urinary Indwelling Catheter Use 

Dear Nursing Facility/Home Administrator:

As you may know, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been working on changes to the F tags for Urinary Incontinence and Indwelling Catheter Use. The result is that the regulatory language for F315 and F316 will be collapsed into one tag, F315.

On April 14, 2005, CMS issued a memo that spelled out the changes. While the regulatory language remains unchanged, there are definitional and best practice additions to the Guidance to Surveyors, a new Investigative Protocol, and compliance and severity guidance. The new guidance will be effective June 27, 2005.

There has been no change to the federal requirements for urinary incontinence and indwelling catheter use. However the changes in the guidance should assist you, your staff and Quality Assurance Committee in reviewing the care of residents with, or at risk of having urinary incontinence and/or indwelling catheters within your facility. Nursing home surveyors will begin using the updated guidance, protocol, and compliance and severity guidance as of June 27, 2005.

The CMS website is the best source for accessing the most current information available. The changes can be accessed online at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/survey-cert/sc0523.pdf

Thank you for your continued commitment to the nursing home residents in the state of Washington.

Sincerely,

Joyce Pashley Stockwell, Director
Residential Care Services