Access to Statements of Deficiencies (CMS-2567) on the Web for Skilled Nursing Facilities, Nursing Facilities, Hospitals,& Critical Access Hospitals

Survey Findings Posted on http://www.cms.gov: In July 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) began posting redacted Statements of Deficiencies (CMS-2567s) for skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities on Nursing Home Compare. In March 2013, CMS began posting CMS-2567s for short-term acute care hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) for surveys based on complaint investigations. This memorandum describes the contents and location of those files.
• Other Web-based Tools Based on These Data: At least two additional websites, provided by private parties (ProPublica and the Association for Health Care Journalists), publish information based on the CMS-2567 data. These websites are independent of CMS. CMS does not endorse or sponsor any particular private party application.
• Plans of Correction (POC): The posted CMS data do not contain any POC information. State Survey Agencies (SAs) and CMS Regional Offices (RO) may see an increase in requests for both the CMS-2567 and any associated POCs.
• Question & Answers: We plan to issue an update to this memorandum that will include an attachment of frequently asked questions in order to provide answers to other queries that may arise.