BC Advantage - 2020 Issue 4
CMS Issues Recommendations to Re-Open Health Care Systems in Areas with Low Incidence of COVID-19
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Article Overview
This article explains CMS recommendations for healthcare organizations considering a phased return to in-person care in areas where COVID-19 incidence remains low and stable. It covers the public health context, readiness considerations for facilities and workforce, screening and testing expectations, PPE conservation, sanitation, supply planning, and operational steps for non-COVID care zones. The material is relevant to healthcare administrators, compliance teams, clinicians, and operational leaders who need to understand CMS guidance before restarting deferred services.
Why This Topic Matters
The article helps organizations assess whether they can safely and compliantly resume deferred non-emergent services while maintaining flexibility to respond to a COVID-19 surge. It is useful for planning staffing, space, supplies, screening, and infection-control processes.
Article Sections
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Overview and reopening context
Introduces the public health context behind CMS recommendations and discusses phased resumption of care in areas with low COVID-19 incidence. It also references the broader federal reopening framework and the role of telehealth.
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General considerations
Summarizes broad planning factors for restarting in-person care, including coordination with public health officials, facility readiness, workforce capacity, and prioritization of clinically necessary services.
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Personal protective equipment
Addresses general PPE expectations for healthcare providers, staff, and patients in settings providing non-COVID care. It also discusses conservation and respiratory protection considerations.
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Workforce availability
Covers screening, staffing continuity, and workforce separation considerations for areas supporting non-COVID care. It also notes the need to preserve community capacity for a possible surge.
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Facility considerations
Describes facility-level planning for non-COVID care areas, including physical separation, social distancing controls, patient flow, and visitor limitations.
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Sanitation protocols
Discusses cleaning, disinfection, and decontamination planning before reusing spaces and equipment for non-COVID patient care.
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Supplies
Addresses readiness concerns related to equipment, medication, and other supplies needed to support care without undermining community response capacity.
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Testing capacity
Covers symptom screening and laboratory testing considerations for patients and staff as testing capability becomes available.
What You Will Learn
- How CMS frames the return to selected in-person non-COVID care during the pandemic
- What operational areas healthcare facilities are expected to review before reopening services
- How screening, staffing, sanitation, supplies, and testing fit into reopening plans
- Which types of care and facility functions are discussed in the reopening guidance
Who Should Read This
- Healthcare administrators
- Compliance officers
- Physician practices and ambulatory facilities
- Hospital operations leaders
- Clinical managers
- Infection prevention staff
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