Publications & Resources

New CMS Regulations Address High Rates of COVID-19 in Nursing Homes

Due to high COVID-19 rates in nursing homes, CMS says it will increase enforcement for facilities with persistent infection control violations and impose enforcement actions for lower level infection control deficiencies.

CMS Rules for Ambulatory Surgery Centers Used to Expand Hospital Capacity During the COVID-19 Pandemic

CMS has issued new guidance for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) used to increase hospital capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CMS Now Requires Hospitals to Implement Antibiotic Stewardship Programs

In an effort to address the high number of unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions issued annually, CMS now mandates that all hospitals implement antibiotic stewardship programs.

CMS No Longer Requires ASCs to Have Written Agreements to Transfer Patients

CMS’s new “Regulatory Provisions to Promote Program Efficiency, Transparency and Burden Reduction” rule no longer requires ASCs to have a written agreement to transfer patients.

CMS to Enforce Hand Hygiene Guidelines in Ambulatory Surgery Centers

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.

Inflation Adjustments Increase Civil Monetary Penalties Imposed by HHS

Healthcare facilities and providers are encouraged to review the updated list of penalties for compliance purposes.

Federal District Court Finds Hospital-Owned Urgent Care Center Must Comply With EMTALA

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 Reverses Its Position on Texting Medical Orders

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.”

End-of-Life Care: More Than a Conversation

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a proposed rule that would reimburse physicians for discussions they have about end-of-life care.

Utilizing Checklists a Good Risk Management Practice

New data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services show that surgical checklists are unused in 10 percent of hospitals.