The recent halt in external communications from federal health agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), has sent ripples of concern throughout the nursing home industry. This pause, initiated as part of the presidential transition, has resulted in darkened websites, canceled public health meetings, and a chilling effect on critical data sharing.
“This is all very scary and crippling for public health,” says Buffy Lloyd-Krejci, a seasoned infection preventionist and long-term care consultant. “As infection preventionists, we rely on the CDC and other local public health entities to provide us with this information in a timely manner. Without this information, we will be reacting to outbreaks rather than being proactive.”
The communication blackout has impacted vital resources like the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network, which provides crucial data on COVID-19 cases in nursing homes. A critical COVID-19 nursing home dashboard that tracks resident and staff cases has been replaced with error messages, leaving healthcare providers and the public in the dark.
This lack of access to real-time data is a significant concern for industry professionals. According to a recent McKnight’s Long-Term Care News article, 40.2% of nursing home residents were up to date on their vaccines as of the week ending January 5th. With the CMS Nursing Home Data page potentially affected by the pause, it remains unclear how providers will access updated vaccination rates and other critical information.
The implications of this communication shutdown extend beyond just data access. The cancellation of key meetings, such as the National Vaccine Advisory Committee meeting and the Presidential Advisory Council for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria meeting, raises questions about the new administration’s approach to critical health issues.
Jodi Eyigor, senior director of nursing home quality and health regulation for LeadingAge, acknowledges the “more speculation” surrounding this pause compared to previous transitions. She emphasizes the importance of coordinated messaging and the potential challenges of misaligned priorities among health officials.
While the full extent and duration of this communication blackout remain unclear, nursing home professionals are left grappling with uncertainty. The lack of access to timely data and public health updates hinders their ability to proactively manage infection control, respond to emerging threats, and ensure the safety and well-being of their residents