The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released their 6th report on the federal response to the pandemic in late March 2021. The report identified 28 recommendations agencies can improve response efforts responding to the pandemic. The GAO hopes that the recommendations are implemented as the pandemic enters its second year.
The GAO found while compiling their 6th report that more than a year after the declaration of the COVID-19 public health emergency, the pandemic continues to result in catastrophic loss of life and substantial damage to the global economy, stability, and security. They cite data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stating that about 520,000 more deaths occurred from all causes (COVID-19 and other causes) than would normally be expected from February 2020 through mid-February 2021.
Several of the GAO’s 28 recommendations include:
- The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) collect data specific to COVID-19 vaccination rates in nursing homes, and these data be made publicly available in order to improve the monitoring and transparency of nursing home vaccination efforts.
- HHS require nursing homes to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to residents and staff, and design and implement associated quality measures.
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CDC, and the Department of Labor (DOL) work together to develop a process for sharing information to facilitate decision-making and guidance consistency related to devices with Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA).
- HHS make its different sources of publicly available COVID-19 data easily accessible from a centralized location on the internet.
The report examines the federal government’s continued efforts to respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. In compiling the report, the GAO reviewed data, documents, and guidance from federal agencies about their activities and interviewed federal and state officials, experts, and other stakeholders, including healthcare professionals. View all recommendations from the GAO by accessing this link:COVID-19: Sustained Federal Action Is Crucial as Pandemic Enters Its Second Year (gao.gov)
Issue:
Although at this time the GAO’s recommendations have not been fully implemented, it is important that all facility’s leadership become aware of the significant recommendations and remain current on the most recent updates to and from all federal and state regulations. The past year has been challenging during the pandemic, and keeping current with federal and state newly implemented regulations has been difficult. None-the-less, it has become critical to stay current on all the regulatory changes in order to avoid fraud, waste, and abuse of federal and state healthcare funds.
Discussion Points:
- Review your Infection Control Plan, Emergency Preparedness Plan, and policies related to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensure that your plans and policies are current, and revise as necessary.
- Train all staff on your Infection Control Plan, Emergency Preparedness Plan, and your policies and procedures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Document that these trainings occurred, and file the signed document in each employee’s education file.
- Periodically audit to ensure that staff are following your infection control plan, that they are aware of their responsibilities during an emergency.
