IPPS Rule: CMS Proposes New ‘Birthing Friendly’ Designation, Along With PHE-Related CoPs
In an effort to “ensure a nimble and informed response to the next potential pandemic or epidemic, so that we are able to immediately respond to the situation at hand,” CMS is proposing revising hospital Conditions of Participation on infection prevention and control “to extend the current COVID-19 reporting requirements and to establish new reporting requirements for any future PHEs related to a specific infectious disease or pathogen.”
Using Measurement-Based Care to Turn Patient Data Into Treatment
At Ascension Illinois, care providers are using Measurement-Based Care (MBC) to improve outcomes in behavioral health treatment. The strategy is based on collecting information throughout treatment to assess outcomes, then modifying care management plans to improve treatment.
Most Healthcare Professionals Don’t Bring Up End-of-Life Planning With Patients, Survey Finds
A new survey polled Americans about crucial advance care planning topics. The survey, which was commissioned by hospice provider VITAS Healthcare, polled 1,000 Americans in March 2022. The polling sample reflects the U.S. population based on gender, age, race and ethnicity, region, and education.
PSQH: The Podcast Episode 51 – How to Protect Against Third-Party Security Breaches
On episode 51 of PSQH: The Podcast, Richard Bird, chief product officer at SecZetta, talks about the risks of security breaches from third-party care providers.
COVID-19 PHE is Renewed Through July 15
CMS continues to gradually end some emergency blanket waivers allowed under the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) for some providers, but for now the 1135 waivers remain intact for acute care and critical access hospitals. The current 90-day PHE declaration was renewed and posted online Wednesday, and is effective through July 15.
A Better Alternative for Combating Opioid Misuse Without Restricting Drug Access for Pain Patients
The new CDC draft removes the 2016 recommended ceilings on prescription doses for chronic pain patients and instead encourages doctors to exercise their best judgment. Even though the previous dosing ceilings were recommendations, they led to unintended consequences: States codified them, and physicians concerned with criminal or civil penalties misapplied the rigid standards by tapering patients too quickly or even refusing to provide treatment.
New York Grants Full Practice Authority to State’s Nurse Practitioners
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the state budget into law on Saturday, that includes legislation that eliminates the requirement for NPs to have a written practice agreement with a physician and allows them to provide the full scope of services they are educated and clinically trained to provide.
Healthcare Workers Experiencing Moral Injury Similar to Combat Veterans
The new research article, which was published by the Journal of General Internal Medicine, is based on information gathered from 618 veterans who served in a combat zone after Sept. 11, 2001, and 2,099 healthcare workers who have provided care during the pandemic.
Is the COVID-19 Federal PHE Nearing Its End?
CMS continues to gradually end some emergency blanket waivers allowed under the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) for some providers, but for now the 1135 waivers remain intact for acute care and critical access hospitals. The current 90-day PHE declaration, effective through April 16, could be renewed as early as next week. However, there is a new note recently added atop HHS’ online list of PHE declarations.
Three Steps to Reducing Health Inequities in the Latino Community
Many factors drive the health disparities affecting the Latino community, and these disparities are further exacerbated by the inaccessibility and unaffordability of U.S. healthcare. While the Affordable Care Act has narrowed some health disparities, Latino adults continue to report significantly higher uninsured rates than other groups. A 2020 Commonwealth Fund study revealed uninsured rates of 24.9% for Latinos, 14.4% for Blacks, and 8.6% for whites.