It’s been over three years since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) started implementation of the final phase of the trauma-informed care (TIC) provision for post-acute and long-term care facilities. Specifically, the provision states that facilities “must ensure that residents who are trauma survivors receive culturally competent, trauma-informed care in accordance with professional standards of practice and accounting for residents’ experiences and preferences in order to eliminate or mitigate triggers that may cause re-traumatization.”

While CMS has offered some basic definitions, concepts, and principles for facilities to use, there is still some confusion about how to manage and document TIC, which is causing uncertainty for providers and their teams. This guide will provide best practices to help ensure your facility delivers care and services that address the needs of trauma survivors by meeting professional standards, using approaches that are culturally competent and accounting for resident experiences and preferences.