The State of IJs: Midway Recap & Lessons Learned

As we reach the midpoint of our “The State of IJs” blog series, the CMS Compliance Group team is reflecting on the trends and insights uncovered so far in 2025. Our goal remains clear: to keep nursing home providers informed and prepared by highlighting Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) citations across the country. While some states have yet to report IJ citations this year, our ongoing analysis is designed to help facilities anticipate regulatory challenges, strengthen compliance strategies, and ultimately improve resident care.

If you’re just joining us, now is a great time to catch up on our state-by-state reviews and discover actionable lessons that can make a difference in your operations:

Looking Ahead – Practical Steps for Providers

It’s clear that staying ahead of regulatory trends is more important than ever. Immediate Jeopardy citations can have a significant impact—not just on compliance, but on the safety and well-being of residents. That’s why our team encourages providers to use these insights as a springboard for proactive improvement.

Next Steps:

  • Review Your Policies: Take time to revisit your facility’s protocols, especially those related to high-risk areas like infection control, medication management, and resident safety. Are there gaps or outdated practices that need attention? Are staff compliant or are there shortcuts being taken?
  • Engage Your Team: Share lessons learned from recent IJ cases with your staff. Open dialogue and ongoing education are key to building a culture of compliance and accountability. You can also follow along with our “Ftag of the Week” series on the CMSCG Blog for more insights and citation examples.
  • Monitor Trends: Stay informed about IJ citations in your state and across the country. Understanding where and why citations are occurring can help you anticipate surveyor focus areas, especially in light of the Nursing Home Compare “pause” and the government shutdown, both of which are creating changes to survey & certification processes and data availability.
  • Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out for expert guidance. Whether you need help with mock surveys, policy development, or staff training, our team is here to support your compliance journey.

We’ll continue to provide updates and actionable recommendations and include new data as it becomes available. We are seeing a lot of variability in the way Ftags are cited by surveyors in different states, so there’s much to be gained from reviewing this information. By learning from the experiences of others and taking a proactive approach, nursing home providers can not only avoid Immediate Jeopardy citations but also deliver safer, higher-quality care.

Stay tuned for more insights—and let us know if there’s a specific topic you’d like us to cover in future posts!


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