The  following FAQ was provided by CMS on April 24, 2020 in QSO-20-28-NH:

Q: The CMS  memorandum (QSO-20-14-NH (Revised)) states that visitation should be allowed  in “certain compassionate care situations, such as an end-of-life situation.”  What is an example of a “compassionate care situation”?

A: The  memorandum intends to provide general guidance on how to limit visitation as  much as possible, while also acknowledging that there are times when visits  should be allowed. We encourage frequent communication among patients,  residents, families, facilities, and other health care providers when  appropriate (e.g., hospice  providers), so they can work together to identify when a visit for  compassionate care is needed, and can be safely conducted. One example of  such a situation is one in which a resident is receiving hospice care and  their health status is sharply declining, or when a resident is not enrolled  in hospice, but their health status has sharply declined. In these  circumstances, it is necessary to ensure precautions are taken to conduct  visits as safely as possible, including following practices for hand hygiene  and use of PPE.

Again, CMS  understands the potential for strain and anxiety upon patients, residents,  and families, introduced by restricting visitation. However, we believe that  temporary restrictions, however uncomfortable, are vital to safeguard the  health and wellbeing of these vulnerable Americans. Unless it is absolutely  necessary to go into a nursing home, people should not. Furthermore,  individuals with symptoms of a respiratory infection (fever, cough, shortness  of breath, or sore throat) should not be permitted to enter the facility at  any time (even in end-of-life situations). In these situations, we urge  nursing homes to offer telephonic or digital means of communications.

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