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1991.09.26 :  Regulation -- Nurse Aides

Contact: Bob Hardy (202) 245-6145
September 26, 1991
     
       HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., today issued
regulations which would require nursing homes for the first time to
meet training and competency standards for nurse aides.  The
regulations also require statewide registries for nurse aides who
meet the new standards.
       "These regulations reflect continued movement toward
improved quality of patient care in nursing homes," Dr. Sullivan
said.  "Only with properly trained and evaluated nursing home
personnel can we ensure that the best possible care is given to
nursing home residents across the country."
       The "Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program"
regulations were published in today's Federal Register.  
       Nursing homes must comply with NATCEP regulations to
participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, Dr. Sullivan
said.  The requirements are authorized by the Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1987, which provided for comprehensive reform
of health, safety, and quality standards for nursing homes caring
for Medicare and Medicaid patients.
       Effective Oct. l, 1990, nursing homes are prevented from
employing nurse aides for more than four months who have not
completed a state-approved NATCEP or competency evaluation program. 
Congress has allowed several exemptions to the requirement for
nurse aides who meet certain standards of experience or prior
training.
       "Nursing homes must provide state-approved NATCEPs or CEPs
for nurse aides without cost to their employees," according to 
Gail R. Wilensky, Ph.D., administrator of the Health Care Financing
Administration.  "The facilities must also provide continuing
education programs to maintain and improve the capabilities of
nurse aides," she said.
       Under the NATCEP regulations, states are required to
establish registries of nurse aides who meet training and
competency requirements.  The registries must include any findings
that a nurse aide has abused or neglected patients or
misappropriated patient property.
       NATCEP regulations require that nursing home facilities
provide at least 12 hours of in-service education annually, conduct
annual performance reviews of nurse aides, and be available for
annual on-site inspections and evaluations of nurse aides.
       States are responsible for approving programs as meeting
federal requirements.  The state-approved NATCEPs may be conducted
in nursing homes or in educational institutions such as community
colleges, but states must determine the competency of nurse aides
through a CEP consisting of a demonstration of skills and an oral
or written examination.
       HCFA issued advisory guidance to the states on the nurse
aide training and competency evaluation requirements and on
establishing the registries of nurse aides during l989.


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