FY 2027 MRSA Validation Template

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Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Validation Template
In support of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital-Acquired Condition (HAC) Reduction Program inpatient data validation efforts
for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 program year:
• Each hospital selected for MRSA validation is to produce a list of all final results for blood cultures that are positive for MRSA during an inpatient episode of care
The list may include cultures collected in the ED and/or 24-hour observation locations collected prior to an inpatient admission; however, if the patient was
only seen in the ED and/or 24-hour observation and never admitted as an inpatient status, do not include these on the Validation Template. These are
scenarios where CMS and the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) reporting differ.
FY 2027 - MRSA Validation Template
(Use this template for 1Q 2024 through 4Q 2024 blood cultures positive for MRSA - all quarters must be submitted on separate templates)
FIELD (* indicates required field)
DESCRIPTION
SECTION
The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)-assigned facility ID under which your hospital
NHSN Facility ID*
submits NHSN data.
Hospital's 6-digit CMS Certification Number (CCN). Do not include any hyphens.
Provider ID/CCN*
Hospital Information Section
Hospital Name associated with CCN.
Hospital Name*
Complete the first row in the
Enter the 2 character abbreviation for the state in which the hospital is located.
State*
spreadsheet. The information
Select from the drop-down list the calendar quarter to which the MRSA Validation Template
provided in the first row will
Calendar Quarter*
pertains.
be applied to all positive blood
Hospital contact name for CMS to contact with questions.
Hospital Contact Name*
cultures listed on the template.
Phone
number
for
hospital
contact
listed.
Contact Phone*
Email address for hospital contact listed.
Contact Email*
Blood cultures positive for MRSA Select Yes or No from the drop-down list. Does the hospital have any final results for blood cultures
positive for MRSA for patients in the calendar quarter referenced?
(Y/N)*
The patient identifier assigned by the hospital. Use the same patient identifier that would be
submitted to NHSN if the episode of care (EOC) would be reported as a laboratory-identified MRSA
Patient Identifier*
bacteremia event.
The patient date of birth using MM/DD/YYYY format.
Birthdate*
Select Female, Male or unknown from the drop-down list to indicate the sex of the patient.
Sex*
Enter date of patient’s inpatient admission to hospital in MM/DD/YYYY format. Date of admission =
date that the patient is physically admitted to an inpatient location. Time spent in the Emergency
Admit Date*
Department or other outpatient locations before admission are NOT used to set the Date of
Admission. See table below for additional information.
Enter date patient was discharged from the hospital in MM/DD/YYYY format. If a patient has not
Patient & Blood Culture Section
been discharged from the hospital enter "Not Discharged" for the Discharge Date field. Discharge
Discharge Date*
Complete for every final positive blood
dates that fall within the reporting quarter will be eligible for validation.
culture.
First name of patient.
First Name
Last name of patient.
Last Name
Select from the drop-down list, the NHSN location to which the patient was assigned when the
blood culture positive for MRSA was collected.
NHSN Location*
Only locations from the drop-down will be accepted; do not use a hospital-assigned location.
Lab ID, accession number or specimen number corresponding to positive blood culture.
Lab ID*
Provide the date the blood culture was collected in MM/DD/YYYY format.
Blood Culture Date*
Provide the time the blood was collected if easily available.
Blood Culture Time

For additional information, view the appropriate MRSA Abstraction Manual posted on the Inpatient Data Validation Resources
https://qualitynet.cms.gov/inpatient/data-management/data-validation/resources
page of QualityNet (direct link):
For the purposes of CMS inpatient data validation, please note the differences between NHSN data submission
and validation template/medical record submission, as described below:

Record
Type

NHSN Data
Submission

Inpatient

Submit data per
NHSN instruction.

ED and/or
Observation only
– did not convert
to inpatient
status; includes
patients with
Observation
status in an
inpatient location.

Submit data per
NHSN instruction,
regardless of
whether the
patient changed to
inpatient status,
and mark the
inpatient status
accordingly.

CMS Inpatient
Rehabilitation
Facilities (IRF) and
CMS Inpatient
Psychiatric
Facilities (IPF)

Submit data per
NHSN instruction.

Validation Template
Submission
Enter all positive cultures
on Validation Templates,
including those
performed in ED and/or
Observation locations if
and only if there was a
corresponding inpatient
status.
Do NOT enter positive
cultures for patients that
did not convert to
inpatient status. The
patient must change to an
inpatient status to be
valid for the CMS data
validation. Cultures
submitted on the
Validation Template that
are not inpatient
admissions may result in
mismatch.
Do NOT enter positive
cultures for patients that
had only a rehabilitation
or psychiatric stay. These
are not valid for CMS data
validation. Cultures
submitted on the
template that are not
inpatient admissions may
result in mismatch.

Medical Record
Submission to CDAC
Submit inpatient records,
including corresponding ED
and/or Observation
documentation. There must
be documentation in the
record to indicate inpatient
status.

The patient must change to
an inpatient status to be
valid for CMS data
validation. Records
submitted for validation that
are not inpatient admissions
will be considered invalid.

Rehab and psych stays are
not valid for CMS data
validation. Records
submitted for validation that
are not acute inpatient
admissions will be
considered invalid.

PRA Disclosure Statement
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this
information collection is 0938-1352 (Expires 01/31/2026). The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 10 hours per response, including the time to review instructions,
search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for
improving this form, please write to CMS, 7500 Security Boulevard, Attn: PRA Reports Clearance Officer, Mail Stop C4-26-05, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850. ****CMS Disclosure**** Please do not send
applications, claims, payments, medical records or any documents containing sensitive information to the PRA Reports Clearance Office. Please note that any correspondence not pertaining to the
information collection burden approved under the associated OMB control number listed on this form will not be reviewed, forwarded, or retained.

If you have questions or concerns regarding where to submit your documents, please contact the Validation Support Contractor at [email protected].

NHSN
Provider ID/CCN*
Facility ID*

Hospital Name*

State*

Calendar
Quarter*

Hospital Contact Name*

Contact Phone*

Contact Email*

Blood cultures
positive for
MRSA (Y/N) *

Patient Identifier*

Birthdate*

Sex*

Admit Date* Discharge Date*

First Name

Last Name

NHSN Location*

Lab ID*

Blood Culture Date*

Blood Culture Time

Below is a list of NHSN Locations applicable for CMS inpatient data validation MRSA reporting.
CDC LOCATION LABEL
CDC LOCATION CODE
Inpatient Adult Critical Care Units
Burn Critical Care
IN:ACUTE:CC:B
Medical Cardiac Critical Care
IN:ACUTE:CC:C
Medical Critical Care
IN:ACUTE:CC:M
Medical-Surgical Critical Care
IN:ACUTE:CC:MS
Neurologic Critical Care
IN:ACUTE:CC:N
Neurosurgical Critical Care

IN:ACUTE:CC:NS

Oncology Medical Critical Care
Oncology Surgical Critical Care
Oncology Medical-Surgical Critical Care
Onsite Overflow Critical Care

IN:ACUTE:CC:ONC_M
IN:ACUTE:CC:ONC_S
IN:ACUTE:CC:ONC_MS
IN:ACUTE:CC:OF_ONSITE

Prenatal Critical Care

IN:ACUTE:CC:PNATL

Respiratory Critical Care
Surgical Cardiothoracic Critical Care
Surgical Critical Care

IN:ACUTE:CC:R
IN:ACUTE:CC:CT
IN:ACUTE:CC:S

Trauma Critical Care

IN:ACUTE:CC:T
Inpatient Pediatric Critical Care Units

ONC Pediatric Critical Care

IN:ACUTE:CC:ONC_PED

Pediatric Burn Critical Care
Pediatric Surgical Cardiothoracic Critical
Care
Pediatric Medical Critical Care
Pediatric Medical-Surgical Critical Care

IN:ACUTE:CC:B_PED

Pediatric Neurosurgical Critical Care

IN:ACUTE:CC:NS_PED

Pediatric Respiratory Critical Care
Pediatric Surgical Critical Care

IN:ACUTE:CC:R_PED
IN:ACUTE:CC:S_PED

Pediatric Trauma Critical Care

IN:ACUTE:CC:T_PED

IN:ACUTE:CC:CT_PED
IN:ACUTE:CC:M_PED
IN:ACUTE:CC:MS_PED

Inpatient Neonatal Units
Well Newborn-- Nursery (Level I)

IN:ACUTE:WARD:NURS

Special Care Nursery (Level II)

IN:ACUTE:STEP:NURS

Neonatal Critical Care (Level II/III)

IN:ACUTE:CC_STEP:NURS

Neonatal Critical Care (Level III)

IN:ACUTE:CC:NURS

Neonatal Critical Care (Level IV)

IN:ACUTE:CC:NURS_IV

Inpatient Specialty Care Areas (SCA)
Dialysis Specialty Care Area
IN:ACUTE:SCA:DIAL
Pediatric Dialysis Specialty Care Area
IN:ACUTE:SCA:DIAL_PED
Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Specialty
IN:ACUTE:SCA:SOTP_PED
Care Area
Solid Organ Transplant Specialty Care
IN:ACUTE:SCA:SOTP
Area
Inpatient Adult Wards
Antenatal Care Ward
IN:ACUTE:WARD:ANTENAT
Behavioral Health/Psych Ward
IN:ACUTE:WARD:BHV
Burn Ward
IN:ACUTE:WARD:B
Ear, Nose, Throat Ward
IN:ACUTE:WARD:ENT
Gastrointestinal Ward
IN:ACUTE:WARD:GI
Genitourinary Ward
IN:ACUTE:WARD:GU
Gerontology Ward
IN:ACUTE:WARD:GNT
Gynecology Ward
IN:ACUTE:WARD:GYN
Jail Unit

IN:ACUTE:WARD:JAL

Labor and Delivery Ward
Labor, Delivery, Recovery, Postpartum
Suite
Medical Ward
Medical-Surgical Ward
Neurology Ward

IN:ACUTE:WARD:LD

Neurosurgical Ward

IN:ACUTE:WARD:NS

Oncology Leukemia Ward
Oncology Lymphoma Ward
Oncology Leukemia/Lymphoma Ward

IN:ACUTE:WARD:ONC_LEUK
IN:ACUTE:WARD:ONC_LYMPH
IN:ACUTE:WARD:ONC_LL

IN:ACUTE:WARD:LD_PP
IN:ACUTE:WARD:M
IN:ACUTE:WARD:MS
IN:ACUTE:WARD:N

Oncology Solid Tumor Ward
IN:ACUTE:WARD:ONC_ST
Oncology Hematopoietic Stem Cell
IN:ACUTE:WARD:ONC_HSCT
Transplant Ward
Oncology General Hematology-Oncology
IN:ACUTE:WARD:ONC_HONC
Ward
Ophthalmology Ward

IN:ACUTE:WARD:OPH

Orthopedic Ward
Orthopedic Trauma Ward
Onsite Overflow Ward
Plastic Surgery Ward
Postpartum Ward
Pulmonary Ward

IN:ACUTE:WARD:ORT
IN:ACUTE:WARD:T_ORT
IN:ACUTE:WARD:OF_ONSITE
IN:ACUTE:WARD:PLS
IN:ACUTE:WARD:PP
IN:ACUTE:WARD:PULM

Rehabilitation Ward (within Hospital)

IN:ACUTE:WARD:REHAB

School Infirmary
Stroke (Acute) Ward
Surgical Ward
Telemetry Ward
Vascular Surgery Ward
Chemical Dependency Ward

IN:ACUTE:WARD:IFM
IN:ACUTE:WARD:STRK
IN:ACUTE:WARD:S
IN:ACUTE:WARD:TEL
IN:ACUTE:WARD:VS
IN:ACUTE:WARD:CD
Inpatient Pediatric Wards
IN:ACUTE:WARD:BHV_ADOL

Adolescent Behavioral Health Ward
Oncology Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem
Cell Transplant Ward
Oncology Pediatric General
Hematology/Oncology Ward
Pediatric Behavioral Health Ward
Pediatric Burn Ward
Pediatric Ear, Nose, Throat Ward
Pediatric Genitourinary Ward
Pediatric Medical Ward
Pediatric Medical-Surgical Ward
Pediatric Neurology Ward

IN:ACUTE:WARD:ONC_HSCT_PED
IN:ACUTE:WARD:ONC_HONC_PED
IN:ACUTE:WARD:BHV_PED
IN:ACUTE:WARD:B_PED
IN:ACUTE:WARD:ENT_PED
IN:ACUTE:WARD:GU_PED
IN:ACUTE:WARD:M_PED
IN:ACUTE:WARD:MS_PED
IN:ACUTE:WARD:N_PED

Pediatric Neurosurgical Ward

IN:ACUTE:WARD:NS_PED

Pediatric Orthopedic Ward

IN:ACUTE:WARD:ORT_PED

Pediatric Rehabilitation Ward (within HospiIN:ACUTE:WARD:REHAB_PED
Pediatric Surgical Ward

IN:ACUTE:WARD:S_PED
Inpatient Step Down Units

Adult Step Down Unit

IN:ACUTE:STEP

Oncology Step Down Unit

IN:ACUTE:STEP:ONC

Pediatric Step-Down Unit

IN:ACUTE:STEP:PED
Inpatient Mixed Acuity Units

Adult Mixed Acuity Unit

IN:ACUTE:MIXED:ALL_ADULT

Pediatric Mixed Acuity Unit

IN:ACUTE:MIXED:ALL_PEDS

Mixed Age Mixed Acuity Unit

IN:ACUTE:MIXED:ALL

Oncology Mixed Acuity Unit (all ages)

IN:ACUTE:MIXED:ONC
Inpatient Operating Rooms

Cardiac Catheterization Room/Suite

IN:ACUTE:OR:CATH

Cesarean Section Room/Suite

IN:ACUTE:OR:LD

Interventional Radiology

IN:ACUTE:OR:RAD

Operating Room/Suite

IN:ACUTE:OR

Post Anesthesia Care Unit/Recovery
Room

IN:ACUTE:OR_STEP

24-Hour Observation Area

OUT:ACUTE:WARD

Emergency Department

OUT:ACUTE:ED
Facility-Wide Locations
FACWIDEIN
FACWIDEOUT

Facility-wide Inpatient (FacWideIN)
Facility-wide Outpatient (FacWideOUT)

Acute Care Facilities General

RSA reporting.
LOCATION DESCRIPTION
Critical care area for the care of patients with significant/major burns.
Critical care area for the care of patients with serious heart problems that DO NOT require heart surgery.
Critical care area for the care of patients who are being treated for nonsurgical conditions.
Critical care area for the care of patients with medical and/or surgical conditions.
Critical care area for the care of patients with life- threatening neurologic diseases.
Critical care area for the surgical management of patients with severe neurologic diseases or those at risk for neurologic injury as a result of
surgery.
Critical care area for the care of oncology patients who are being treated for nonsurgical conditions related to their malignancy.
Critical care area for the evaluation and management of oncology patients with serious illness before and/or after cancer-related surgery.
Critical care area for the care of oncology patients with medical and/or surgical conditions related to their malignancy.
Area previously used for non-patient care which has been repurposed to care for critically ill or injured patients.
Critical care area for the care of pregnant patients with complex medical or obstetric problems requiring a high level of care to prevent the
loss of the fetus and to protect the life of the mother.
Critical care area for the evaluation and treatment of patients with severe respiratory conditions.
Critical care area for the care of patients following cardiac and/or thoracic surgery.
Critical care area for the evaluation and management of patients with serious illness before and/or after surgery.
Critical care area for the care of patients who require a high level of monitoring and/or intervention following trauma or during critical illness
related to trauma.
Critical care area for the care of oncology patients ≤18 years old who are being treated for surgical or nonsurgical conditions related to their
malignancy.
Critical care area for the care of patients ≤18 years old with significant/major burns.
Critical care area for the care of patients ≤18 years old following cardiac and thoracic surgery.
Critical care area for the care of patients ≤18 years old who are being treated for nonsurgical conditions.
Critical care area for the care of patients ≤18 years old with medical and/or surgical conditions.
Critical care area for the surgical management of patients ≤18 years old with severe neurologic diseases or those at risk for neurologic injury
as a result of surgery.
Critical care area for the evaluation and treatment of patients ≤18 years old with severe respiratory conditions.
Critical care area for the evaluation and management of patients ≤18 years old with serious illness before and/or after surgery.
Critical care area for the care of patients ≤18 years old who require a high level of monitoring and/or intervention following trauma or during
critical illness related to trauma.
Hospital area for evaluation and postnatal care of healthy newborns. May include neonatal resuscitation and stabilization of ill newborns until
transfer to a facility at which specialty neonatal care is provided.
The capabilities of Level II, listed below, are from the American Academy of Pediatrics definitions of levels of neonatal care.1
Level II special care nursery Level I capabilities plus:
-Provide care for infants born ≥32 wks. gestation and weighing ≥1500 g who have physiologic immaturity or who are moderately ill with
problems that are expected to resolve rapidly and are not anticipated to need subspecialty services on an urgent basis
-Provide care for infants convalescing after intensive care
-Provide mechanical ventilation for brief duration (<24 h) or continuous positive airway pressure or both
-Stabilize infants born before 32 wks. gestation and weighing less than 1500 g until transfer to a neonatal intensive care facility
Combined nursery housing both Level II and III newborns and infants, as per the NHSN level definitions above and below. This is analogous to
a mixed acuity unit specifically for Neonatal Critical Care patients.

A hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) organized with personnel and equipment to provide continuous life support and comprehensive
care for extremely high- risk newborn infants and those with complex and critical illness.
The capabilities of Level III, listed below, are from the American Academy of Pediatrics definitions of levels of neonatal care.1
Level III NICU
Level II capabilities plus:
-Provide sustained life support
-Provide comprehensive care for infants born < 32 wks. gestation and weighing <1500 g and infants born at all gestational ages and birth
weights with critical illness
-Provide prompt and readily available access to a full range of pediatric medical subspecialists, pediatric surgical specialists, pediatric
anesthesiologists, and pediatric ophthalmologists
-Provide a full range of respiratory support that may include conventional and/or high-frequency ventilation and inhaled nitric oxide
-Perform
advanced
interpretation
on an with
urgent
basis,illness
including
computed
and echocardiography
Critical care
area forimaging,
the carewith
of newborns
and infants
serious
requiring
Leveltomography,
IV care; area MRI,
is supervised
by a neonatologist
Level IV
Level III capabilities plus:
-Located within an institution with the capability to provide surgical repair of complex congenital or acquired conditions
-Maintain a full range of pediatric medical subspecialists, pediatric surgical subspecialists, and pediatric subspecialists at the site
-Facilitate transport and provide outreach education

Specialty care area for the care of patients who require acute dialysis as a temporary measure.
Specialty care area for the care of patients ≤18 years old who require acute dialysis as a temporary measure.
Specialty care area for the postoperative care of patients ≤18 years old who have had a solid organ transplant (for example, heart/lung,
kidney, liver, pancreas).
Specialty care area for the postoperative care of patients >18 years old who have had a solid organ transplant (for example, heart/lung,
kidney, liver, pancreas).
Hospital area for observation, evaluation, treatment or surgery of high-risk pregnancy patients.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients with acute psychiatric or behavioral disorders.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients who have burns.
Area for the evaluation, treatment, or surgery of patients with ear, nose, or throat disorders.
Area for the evaluation, treatment, or surgery of patients with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
Area for the evaluation, treatment, or surgery of patients with disorders of the genitourinary system.
Area for the evaluation, treatment, or surgery of patients with age-related diseases.
Area for the evaluation, treatment, or surgery of female patients with reproductive tract disorders.
Overnight stay patient care area of a hospital or correctional facility used only for those who are in custody of law enforcement during their
treatment.
Area where women labor and give birth.
Suite used for labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care -- all within the same suite.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients with medical conditions or disorders.
Area for the evaluation of patients with medical and/or surgical conditions.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients with neurologic disorders.
Area for the care of patients whose primary reason for admission is to have neurosurgery or to be cared for by a neurosurgeon after head or
spinal trauma.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients with leukemia.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients with lymphoma.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients with leukemia and/or lymphoma.

Area for the evaluation and treatment of oncology patients with solid tumors.
Area for the care of patients who undergo stem cell transplant for the treatment of cancers, immune effector cell therapy, and/or blood or
immune system disorders.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients with cancer and/or blood disorders.
Area for the care of patients whose primary reason for admission is to have eye surgery or to be cared for by an ophthalmologist after eye
trauma.
Area for the evaluation, treatment, or surgery on bones, joints, and associated structures by an orthopedist.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients with orthopedic injuries or disorders.
Area previously used for non-patient care which has been repurposed to care for non-critically ill or injured patients
Area for the care of patients who have reconstructive surgery performed by a plastic surgeon.
Area for the care of patients recovering from childbirth.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients with respiratory system conditions or disorders.
Area for the evaluation and restoration of function to patients who have lost function due to acute or chronic pain, musculoskeletal problems,
stroke, or catastrophic events resulting in complete or partial paralysis.
Overnight stay patient care area of a school infirmary or health center (for example, private residential school or college campus).
Area for the evaluation, stabilization, and treatment of patients who have experienced an acute stroke.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients who have undergone a surgical procedure.
Hospital area dedicated to providing evaluation and treatment of patients requiring continuous cardiac monitoring
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients who have undergone vascular surgery.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients with chemical dependency.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients 13-18 years old with acute psychiatric or behavioral disorders.
Area for the care of patients ≤18 years old who undergo stem cell transplant for the treatment of cancers and/or blood or immune system
disorders.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients ≤18 years old with cancer and/or blood disorders.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients ≤18 years old with acute psychiatric or behavioral disorders.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients ≤18 years old who have tissue injury caused by burns.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients ≤18 years old with disorders of the ear, nose, and/or throat.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients ≤18 years old with disorders of the genitourinary system.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients ≤18 years old with medical conditions or disorders.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients ≤18 years old with medical and/or surgical conditions.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients ≤18 years old with neurologic disorders.
Area for care of patients ≤18 years old whose primary reason for admission is to have neurosurgery or to be cared for by a neurosurgeon after
head or spinal trauma.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients ≤18 years old with orthopedic injuries or disorders.
Area for the evaluation and restoration of function to patients ≤18 years old who have lost function due to acute or chronic pain,
musculoskeletal problems, stroke, or catastrophic events resulting in complete or partial paralysis.
Area for the evaluation and treatment of patients ≤18 years old who have undergone a surgical procedure.
Area for adult patients who are hemodynamically stable and can benefit from close supervision and monitoring, such as frequent pulmonary
toilet, vital signs, and/or neurologic and neurovascular checks.
Area for oncology patients who are hemodynamically stable and can benefit from close supervision and monitoring, such as frequent
pulmonary toilet, vital signs, and/or neurologic and neurovascular checks.

Area for patients ≤18 years old who are hemodynamically stable and can benefit from close supervision and monitoring, such as frequent
pulmonary toilet, vital signs, and/or neurologic and neurovascular checks.
Hospital area for the evaluation and treatment of adult patients whose conditions are of varying levels of acuity (for example, critical care,
ward-level care, step-down type care, etc.). Such a care area may be comprised of patients followed by different hospital services (for
example, coronary, medical, surgical, etc.). This care area may or may not include ''acuity adaptable'' or ''universal'' beds (specifically, this
model of patient care allows a patient to stay in same bed during all phases of his care, from critical care through lower levels of care).
Hospital area for the evaluation and treatment of pediatric patients whose conditions are varying levels of acuity (for example, critical care,
ward-level care, step down type care, etc.). Such a care area may be comprised of patients followed by different hospital services (for
example, coronary, medical, surgical, etc.). This care area may or may not include “acuity adaptable” or “universal” beds (specifically, this
model of patient care allows a patient to stay in the same bed during all phases of his care, from critical care through lower levels of care).
Hospital area for the evaluation and treatment of a mixture of adult and pediatric patients whose conditions are of varying levels of acuity (for
example, critical care, ward-level care, step-down type care, etc.). Such a care area may be comprised of patients followed by different
hospital services (for example, coronary, medical, surgical, etc.). This care area may or may not include ''acuity adaptable'' or ''universal'' beds
(specifically, this model of patient care allows a patient to stay in same bed during all phases of his care, from critical care through lower levels
of care).
Area for the evaluation and treatment of a mixture of adult and pediatric oncology patients whose conditions are of varying levels of acuity
(for example, critical care, ward-level care, step-down type care, etc.). This care area may or may not include "acuity adaptable" or “universal”
beds (specifically, this model of patient care allows a patient to stay in the same bed during all phases of care, from critical care through lower
levels of care).
A room or rooms in a hospital equipped for the performance of heart catheterizations for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Operating
Room requirements for air changes, temperature, humidity and surfaces must be met.
A room or suite in a hospital equipped for the performance of obstetric and gynecologic surgeries and for the care of the neonate
immediately after birth. Operating Room requirements for air changes, temperature, humidity and surfaces must be met.
A room where diagnostic or therapeutic radiology procedures are done on outpatients or inpatients. Operating room requirements for air
changes, temperature, humidity, and surfaces must be met.
A room or suite in a hospital equipped for the performance of surgical operations. Requirements for air changes, temperature, humidity, and
surfaces must be met.
Area designated for monitoring patients for immediate effects of anesthesia before either going home or on to an in-patient care area.
Area where patients are monitored for suspected or non-life-threatening conditions for 24 hours or less. More than 50% of patients in this
location must be outpatients who are not expected to be admitted to an inpatient unit.
Area that provides emergency medical services; top priority is given to those with life-threatening illness or injury.
Facility-wide Inpatient (FacWIDEIn)
Facility-wide Outpatient (FacWIDEOut)

USER GUIDE AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

---> The FY 2027 Validation Template User Guide and Submission Instructions , along with supporting documentation, can be found on the CMS QualityNet website.
To access, select [Hospitals–Inpatient], and then [Data Management], followed by [Data Validation], and lastly [Resources]:
https://qualitynet.cms.gov/inpatient/data-management/data-validation/resources
The only acceptable method of sending HAI Validation Templates is through the CMS Managed File Transfer (MFT) application:
https://qnetmft.cms.gov
HAI Validation Templates contain Protected Health Information (PHI) and cannot be sent via email -- even if a template were sent encrypted from a secure
workplace email, it would still be considered a security violation.
We suggest hospitals ask their IT department add [email protected] to your ‘Safe Senders List’ to ensure validation-related email notifications are not blocked.
It is recommended to submit HAI Validation Templates at least a week prior to the submission deadline in case there are difficulties with
transmitting files, and to allow time for revisions/corrections when necessary.
If you are unable to log in to the CMS MFT application, the first person to contact is your hospital's Security Official (SO).
If your SO is unable to establish your access, you will need to contact the Center for Clinical Standards & Quality (CCSQ) Service Center by phone at 866-288-8912.
It is recommended hospitals have two SOs at all times to ensure the ability to upload Validation Templates by the established submission deadlines.
We suggest hospitals ask their IT department to add [email protected] to their ‘Safe Senders List’ to ensure validation-related email notifications are received.
HAI VALIDATION TEMPLATE COMPLETION & SUBMISSION TIPS
Prior to submitting Validation Templates to CMS, it is recommended that quality assurance is performed on the data within the template.
Review the [Definitions] tab to ensure correct information is entered in each field.
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Do not add, delete, rename, or change the order of the tabs.
Do not add, delete, or rename column headings.
Do not leave the first row blank or skip rows between patient data.
Make sure the Provider ID/CCN field is exactly 6 numeric characters (do not add a hyphen).
Make sure the State field contains the 2 character abbreviation for your state, not the full state name.
Verify the Calendar Quarter listed on each Validation Template is correct.
Review all dates for accuracy and correct format as specified on the [Definitions] tab.
If a patient has not been discharged from the hospital, enter ‘Not Discharged’ for the Discharge Date field.
The 'Blood cultures positive for MRSA' column cannot include rows listing both "Yes" and "No"; entering "No" indicates no positive cultures for the quarter.
Ensure all NHSN locations are within the approved NHSN drop down on the template. Hospital-assigned locations will not be accepted.
Be sure to populate all required fields on each consecutive row if there were multiple final positive cultures collected for the same patient.
Perform quality check of data entered into this template against what was entered into NHSN; stay mindful of differing CMS and NHSN deadlines.
Check to ensure any cases with a separate Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) or Inpatient Psychiatric Facility (IPF) CCN are not included on the template.
Append the file name with the 6-digit CCN/Provider ID, followed by an underscore and the quarter.
For example: 012345_1QYY_FYXX_MRSA_ValTemp.xlsx

• When submitting templates via the [Compose] button within the Mail area of the CMS MFT dashboard, input the subject of the message
with the 6-digit CCN/Provider ID, Submission Quarter, and Template type(s) attached.
For example: 012345 1QYY FYXX MRSA & CDI Validation Templates
• When choosing a recipient, select the ellipsis button to the right of the To field and then select the [Groups] tab to locate the "Validation Support Contractor" group.
Do NOT select any individual person(s) from the recipient list; only select the "Validation Support Contract" Group.
Some individual accounts are not regularly monitored—sending to any one individual risks delay in processing.
• Leave the 'Require Registered Users' box checked under Options. Un-checking this box puts the message at risk of not being processed.
• We strongly encourage hospitals to add a check on the 'Read Receipt' box under Options.

After a file has been downloaded by someone on the Validation Support Contractor team, it will be in the queue for processing.
• It is suggested that users verify a message has been sent by clicking on the [Sent Items] button from the left-side navigation panel of the MFT dashboard.
NOTE: It can take a couple minutes for messages to appear in the Sent Items folder. Please, do NOT re-send messages multiple times,
as this significantly delays processing and requires version confirmation.
• You will receive email confirmation (usually within 2 business days of being downloaded) from the Validation Support Contractor letting you know the Validation
Templates were processed. If you do not receive a processing confirmation, please include your hospital's 6-digit CCN/Provider ID in an
email to [email protected]