Hospital Successfully Fends Off OSHA Citation
More than 18 months after being cited by OSHA for allegedly failing to guard adequately against workplace violence, one of the largest public hospitals in the United States is claiming victory. Bergen Regional Medical Center (BRMC) in Paramus, N.J., defended its program and recently reached an agreement with federal officials, who dismissed the citation.
CDC Updates SSI Guidelines for the First Time in 18 Years
Between 2006 and 2009, roughly 1.9% of surgical procedures in the United States resulted in SSI complications; however, it’s likely that number is much higher since about 50% of SSIs don’t become evident until after discharge. Estimated costs of SSIs range from $10,443 to $25,546 per infection, although it can cost more than $90,000 to treat an SSI involving a prosthetic joint implant or an antimicrobial-resistant organism.
CMS Publishes New Emergency Preparedness Interpretive Guidelines
On June 2, CMS published its final rule for emergency preparedness guidelines and survey procedures. These rules affect all 17 providers and suppliers and the rules will be enforced starting November 15, 2017.
CMS Gives States Until 2022 to Meet Medicaid Standards of Care
Federal standards requiring states find ways of delivering care to Medicaid enrollees in home and community-based settings will take effect in 2022 instead of 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced last week.
Joint Commission: 3 Tips On Preventing Workplace Violence
In 2013, more than 70% of the 23,000 significant injuries resulting from assault at the workplace occurred in healthcare and social service settings. In 2014, a survey found that 76% of nurses have experienced verbal or physical abuse from patients and visitors.
Transparency and Termination Notices; CMS Proposes Changes for Accreditation Organizations
Early this April, CMS sent out a memo with big proposals for accreditation. If passed, the proposed rule would require accrediting organizations (AO) to make their survey reports publicly available and publish termination notices somewhere other than in local newspapers.
CMS: Don’t Put off Newly Required Emergency Exercises
Medical facilities still have the better part of a year before the new emergency preparedness rule is implemented this fall, but they should not wait any longer to begin complying, CMS warned last week.
AMA: Surprise Surveys Improve Mortality Rates
A new AMA study found that patients are less likely to die if they are treated on the same day as a surprise Joint Commission survey.
By Law, Hospitals Now Must Tell Medicare Patients When Care is ‘Observation’ Only
Under a new federal law, hospitals across the country must now alert Medicare patients when they are getting observation care and why they were not admitted — even if they stay in the hospital a few nights.
Joint Commission To Check For FDA Powdered Glove Ban Compliance
The Joint Commission surveyors will now check hospitals to see if they are compliant with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) ban on powdered medical gloves.