Is your medical director certified—or planning to be? In Florida, that’s not just a good idea anymore—it’s the law. A newly passed regulation requires that each nursing home have a certified medical director, either already credentialed through PALTmed or actively pursuing certification. Equivalent credentials are accepted too, as long as they’re recognized by Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)—which, by the way, is not to be confused with the American Health Care Association. The full policy is explained in the Florida legislation on certified medical directors.

In addition, the agency will now make each community’s medical director publicly visible on its online provider profiles. And there’s more—communities are now expected to actively assess their culture around resident care. That means conducting an anonymous patient safety culture survey at least every two years. Communities are encouraged to use the official Survey on Patient Safety Culture for Nursing Homes developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Third-party vendors may be used to administer it, helping staff feel more comfortable giving honest feedback.

Hopefully, your community already has a plan in place to maintain a strong, proactive approach to resident care—even if a formal survey hasn’t been done just yet. And what about your medical director? Are they already certified or in the process? This is the moment to check in and encourage continued education. It’s worth noting: if Florida has taken this step, other states won’t be far behind. Encourage your certified medical director to stay engaged with associations and pursue certification. After all, they can’t be expected to lead well if they aren’t current with best practices.

Stay well and stay informed!