Even amid the current government shutdown, long-term care communities are being urged to strengthen survey preparedness as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) increases enforcement activity nationwide.

According to compliance experts, state agencies are being pushed to close backlogs and issue more enforcement actions—signaling a shift toward tighter regulatory oversight and accountability.

Survey Enforcement on the Rise

CMS has renewed its emphasis on consistent state survey performance and timely follow-through. Facilities can expect more focused investigations, expedited citations, and reduced tolerance for missed deadlines or incomplete plans of correction.

Particular scrutiny is placed on infection prevention, staffing adequacy, abuse reporting, and quality of care—areas that continue to generate the highest number of deficiencies. CMS has also encouraged states to apply stronger financial penalties for repeat or unaddressed violations.

What This Means for Providers

Operators and clinical leaders should anticipate fewer leniencies for delays and greater expectations for immediate corrective action. The best defense, experts say, is a proactive compliance culture grounded in accurate documentation, staff competency, and data-driven quality improvement.

Facilities should:

• Conduct mock surveys to identify gaps early.
• Review policies and audit logs for consistency with current regulations.
• Reinforce infection control and medication management training.
• Strengthen communication between clinical, pharmacy, and leadership teams to ensure corrective measures are timely and sustained.

A Culture of Continuous Readiness

Survey preparedness is not an annual event—it’s a continuous process that safeguards residents, protects licenses, and supports reimbursement stability.
With CMS turning up the pressure, providers who integrate regulatory vigilance into daily operations will be best positioned to maintain compliance and avoid costly enforcement actions.

The Bottom Line
Survey readiness is a shared responsibility across every department. Forum’s clinical and pharmacy experts are available 24/7 to support compliance, quality, and medication accuracy—helping your team stay survey-ready every day.

Contact Forum Pharmacy for expert guidance on medication management and survey compliance support.