CMS Memorandum S&C 14-34-NH: Advance Copy of Revised F371; Interpretive guidance and Procedures for Sanitary Conditions, Preparation of Eggs in Nursing Homes
Summary:
- Guidance for Nursing Homes: Skilled nursing and nursing facilities should use pasteurized shell eggs or liquid pasteurized eggs to eliminate the risk of residents contracting Salmonella Enteritidis (SE). The use of pasteurized eggs allows for resident preference for soft-cooked, undercooked or sunny-side up eggs while maintaining food safety. In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards, skilled nursing and nursing facilities should not prepare nor serve soft-cooked, undercooked or sunny-side up eggs from unpasteurized eggs.
- Guidance for Surveyors: Signed health release agreements between the resident (or the resident’s representative) and the facility that acknowledges the resident’s acceptance of the risk of eating undercooked unpasteurized eggs are not permitted. Pasteurized eggs are commercially available and allow the safe consumption of eggs. If the facility prepares or serves unpasteurized or undercooked eggs which are not cooked until both the yolk and white are completely firm, surveyors should consider citing deficiencies at F371. Determination of the appropriate scope and severity shall be based upon the actual or potential negative resident outcomes in accordance with guidance given at F371. We are revising F371 to clarify this section; a revised F371 is attached.
View the memo here: S&C 14-34-NH or visit www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/SurveyCertificationGenInfo/Policy-and-Memos-to-States-and-Regions-Items/Survey-and-Cert-Letter-14-34-.html?DLPage=1&DLSort=2&DLSortDir=descending.