On October 18, 2013, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) released a memorandum giving guidance as to how nursing facilities should draft their policies on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In this memo, CMS has specifically stated that a nursing home cannot have a facility-wide “no CPR” policy. Facilities that have such policies will be cited under F155 for not honoring the right of residents to formulate an advance directive. Furthermore, CMS has directed nursing homes to take the default position of initiating CPR, prior to the arrival of EMS, to any resident who experiences cardiac arrest unless such resident has a valid DNR order. Consequently, nursing homes must have CPR-certified staff available at all times. The memo goes on to note that nursing facilities should also advise residents upon admission of their right to formulate advance directives.