CMS has revised and updated its State Operations Manual (SOM), Appendix M, on interpretive guidelines for hospice Conditions of Participation (CoP) as well as surveyor training for hospice inspectors.
For ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), personnel records, governing body oversight of contractors, generator testing, and emergency preparedness were among the top problems along with medical records and medical staff credentialing...
Ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) are once again being reminded that they must have a completed credentials file for every practitioner at their organization.
Be prepared for COVID-19 cases to increase in number and potentially severity if the general public becomes too lax in vaccination, testing, and using precautions once the public health emergency (PHE) officially ends on May 11.
Do you need to update your hospital’s sign detailing its responsibilities under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA)? What do you do when law enforcement asks for medical records?
Expect more patients in the emergency room (ER) seeking help with behavioral health issues when the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ends—especially if the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) does not act to renew PHE-related flexibilities allowing prescriptions of controlled substances...
Beware of repeat deficiencies. CMS is pressing accrediting organizations (AO) to deal more harshly with hospitals that have repeat citations, including elevating a recurring finding to a condition-level deficiency after a time.
