Infection transmission in healthcare facilities is strongly associated with poor hand hygiene. Starting this year, CMS surveyors will issue citations when they observe any ambulatory surgery center employee failing to follow proper hand hygiene protocol.
Healthcare facilities and providers are encouraged to review the updated list of penalties for compliance purposes.
Hospitals should be aware that provider-based urgent care centers that are held out to the public as such will likely meet the definition of a “dedicated emergency department” and will be subject to full EMTALA compliance.
The Joint Commission (JC) issued a clarification reversing its position on the texting of medical orders: “The use of secure text orders is not permitted at this time.”