CMS Approves TJC as an AO for Another Three Years
In an announcement scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on May 2, CMS said that TJC made all the changes required of the agency but that “due to travel restrictions and the reprioritization of survey activities brought on by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency (PHE), CMS was unable to observe a hospital survey completed by TJC surveyors as part of the application review process, which is one component of the comparability evaluation. Therefore, we are providing TJC with a shorter period of approval.”
In First Year of Coronavirus Pandemic, U.S. Life Expectancy Fell by 1.87 Years
In 2020, there were more deaths from COVID-19 in the United States than any other country, and Americans had relatively high COVID-19 mortality rates. Before the pandemic, the United States had one of the lowest life expectancy rates among high-income countries.
PSQH: The Podcast Episode 52 – How the ASC Industry’s Growth is Improving the Surgical Process
On episode 52 of PSQH: The Podcast, Dr. Alexander Sah talks about the growth of the ambulatory surgery center market and how it’s improving the surgical process.
Healthcare Leaders React to New Cybersecurity Concerns
In this conversation with HealthLeaders, Phyllis Teater, chief information officer at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, discusses best practices and steps that healthcare organizations can take to strengthen their cybersecurity strategies.
Mandatory Hospital Sepsis Protocols Save Thousands of Lives
Sepsis develops in response to infection, and it can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. Sepsis is the leading cause of in-hospital death in the United States. More than 1.7 million Americans are diagnosed with sepsis annually.
Cybersecurity Company Finds Vulnerabilities in Hospital Robots
Robots like the Aethon TUG are used by hospitals to do light housekeeping and ferry items from one place to another, relying on radio waves, sensors and other technology to open doors, take elevators and maneuver through hallways without hitting anything. More advanced telepresence robots are being used to connect care providers in other locations with patients in their rooms or the Emergency Department and even perform some guided surgeries.
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.