Ask Proactive – Do citations received during Focused Infection Control Surveys impact my Five-Star rating?

Do citations received during Focused Infection Control Surveys impact my Five-Star rating?

A:

Yes, focused infection control surveys are included in the rating calculation, with citations from these surveys counting towards the total weighted health inspection score (similar to how complaint survey citations are counted). Complaint inspections and focused infection control surveys are assigned to a time period based on the 12-month period in which the complaint or infection control survey occurred. Complaint or focused infection control surveys that occurred within the most recent 12 months from when the data are uploaded receive a weighting factor of 1/2; those from 13-24 months ago have a weighting factor of 1/3, and those from 25-36 months ago have a weighting factor of 1/6. To avoid potential double counting of deficiencies cited on focused infection control surveys, If two or more infection control inspections cite the same deficiency within a 15-day period, all are included; however, if one or more of these deficiencies was also cited on a recertification survey and/or a complaint inspection within the same 15-day window, only the infection control citations are included. Points from complaint deficiencies and deficiencies cited on infection control surveys from a given period are added to the health inspection score before calculating revisit points, if applicable.