The Joint Commission (TJC) has approved one new National Patient Safety Goal for 2012 that focuses on catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) for the hospital and critical access hospital accreditation programs. There are no new NPSGs for the other accreditation programs.
Source: The Joint Commission May 18, 2011 Newsletter
Friday, May 20, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
TJC Issues New Standards FAQ for Unlicensed Persons Acting As Scribes
The Joint Commission (TJC) issued a new Standards FAQ pertaining to unlicensed persons acting as scribes for physicians and other licensed practitioners.
The FAQ defines what a "scribe" is and outlines how organizations may use scribes.
The FAQ may be viewed here: http://www.jointcommission.org/standards_information/jcfaqdetails.aspx?StandardsFAQId=345
Source: The Joint Commission
The FAQ defines what a "scribe" is and outlines how organizations may use scribes.
The FAQ may be viewed here: http://www.jointcommission.org/standards_information/jcfaqdetails.aspx?StandardsFAQId=345
Source: The Joint Commission
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Implementation WG Seeks Comments on EHR Certification Program
The Health Information Technology Standards Committee (HITSC) Implementation Workgroup is currently seeking comments on the electronic health record (EHR) Temporary Certification Program, Stage 1 Meaningful Use. Comments are due by Friday, June 17, 2011.
Eligible professionals (EPs) and eligible hospitals (EHs) who seek to qualify for incentive payments under the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs are required by statute to use Certified EHR Technology. Once certified, Complete EHRs and EHR Modules can be used by EPs and EHs to meet the statutory requirement for Certified EHR Technology.
The Workgroup is now collecting feedback on the progress of the EHR product certification program, which has been certifying EHR technology on Stage 1 Meaningful Use criteria for almost a year. Following analysis of the comments received through the approximately 30-day public comment period, the Workgroup intends to make recommendations to the HITSC regarding the EHR Certification Program for Stage 2 Meaningful Use. The Workgroup’s goal is to obtain feedback on the process for communicating the testing and certification criteria, as well as for testing and certifying the EHR technology.
Eligible professionals (EPs) and eligible hospitals (EHs) who seek to qualify for incentive payments under the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs are required by statute to use Certified EHR Technology. Once certified, Complete EHRs and EHR Modules can be used by EPs and EHs to meet the statutory requirement for Certified EHR Technology.
The Workgroup is now collecting feedback on the progress of the EHR product certification program, which has been certifying EHR technology on Stage 1 Meaningful Use criteria for almost a year. Following analysis of the comments received through the approximately 30-day public comment period, the Workgroup intends to make recommendations to the HITSC regarding the EHR Certification Program for Stage 2 Meaningful Use. The Workgroup’s goal is to obtain feedback on the process for communicating the testing and certification criteria, as well as for testing and certifying the EHR technology.
Please submit your comments by no later than 5 p.m. EDT on June 17, 2011.
Information about submitting comments may be found here: http://healthit.hhs.gov/blog/faca/index.php/2011/05/12/implementation-wg-seeks-comments-on-ehr-certification-program-by-june-17-2011/
Source:
http://healthit.hhs.gov/blog/faca/index.php/2011/05/12/implementation-wg-seeks-comments-on-ehr-certification-program-by-june-17-2011/
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
HHS offers support, flexibility for states affected by tornados
In the wake of recent significant loss of life and property suffered by several states due to last week’s horrific tornados and other storms, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius offered those states several options to speed Medicaid eligibility for those who may desperately need health services but have no means to pay for it.
In a letter to Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee, Secretary Sebelius outlines ways states can immediately expand access to health care by providing temporary increases in Medicaid income eligibility limits and removing resource tests. States can also allow residents who may have lost documents in the storm to certify their income and residency, and can delay the process of redetermining whether an individual remains eligible for Medicaid. The Secretary urged states to consult with CMS central and regional offices to determine how best to meet their needs within available legal authority. The Secretary provided a commitment that the department would expedite whatever federal approvals that states may need for state plan amendments or waivers, and that such authorities could be retroactive as early as the beginning of the disaster period. Already, HHS is working closely with Alabama on a waiver to help residents, in that hard-hit state, access the health care they need.
HHS has a strong history of using the Medicaid program to help states during times of crisis and through the recovery process. Iowa received a fast-track waiver to suspend eligibility redeterminations and relax documentation requirements after 2008 floods across five counties created need for emergency medical services. After the September 11, attacks, CMS quickly granted New York authority to create Disaster Relief Medicaid after the state’s Medicaid computer systems were heavily damaged. The temporary program allowed the state to expand eligibility and expedite application processing.
Secretary Sebelius' letter can be viewed at www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/05/letter0506.html.
Source: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/05/20110506a.html
In a letter to Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee, Secretary Sebelius outlines ways states can immediately expand access to health care by providing temporary increases in Medicaid income eligibility limits and removing resource tests. States can also allow residents who may have lost documents in the storm to certify their income and residency, and can delay the process of redetermining whether an individual remains eligible for Medicaid. The Secretary urged states to consult with CMS central and regional offices to determine how best to meet their needs within available legal authority. The Secretary provided a commitment that the department would expedite whatever federal approvals that states may need for state plan amendments or waivers, and that such authorities could be retroactive as early as the beginning of the disaster period. Already, HHS is working closely with Alabama on a waiver to help residents, in that hard-hit state, access the health care they need.
HHS has a strong history of using the Medicaid program to help states during times of crisis and through the recovery process. Iowa received a fast-track waiver to suspend eligibility redeterminations and relax documentation requirements after 2008 floods across five counties created need for emergency medical services. After the September 11, attacks, CMS quickly granted New York authority to create Disaster Relief Medicaid after the state’s Medicaid computer systems were heavily damaged. The temporary program allowed the state to expand eligibility and expedite application processing.
Secretary Sebelius' letter can be viewed at www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/05/letter0506.html.
Source: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/05/20110506a.html
Monday, May 16, 2011
AHRQ Releases New Report: Enabling Medication Management Through Health IT
A new Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality- (AHRQ)funded report, Enabling Medication Management through Health Information Technology, examines the evidence and research gaps regarding the impact of health information technology on all phases of the medication management process. Areas examined include prescribing and ordering, order communication, dispensing, administration and monitoring as well as education and reconciliation. Select for the report. The report shows improved care processes but mixed feelings about the effectiveness of HIT.
Click here to view the Executive Summary and Report.
Click here to view the Executive Summary and Report.
HHS Launches Partnership for Patients
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and CMS Administrator Donald Berwick, MD, recently announced a new public-private partnership designed to bring together leaders of hospitals, employers, health plans, physicians, nurses, patient advocates, and the State and Federal governments to make hospital care safer, more reliable, and less costly. Called the Partnership for Patients, the campaign has two goals: keep hospital patients from getting injured or sicker, and help reduce the number of readmissions.
One measure is to reduce preventable hospital-acquired conditions by 40% by the end of 2013. The second measure is to reduce hospital re-admissions by 20% by the end of 2013.
HHS hopes that the combined efforts of this partnership could save 60,000 American lives and reduce millions of preventable injuries and complications in patient care over the next three years. HHS also estimates that successful implementation could save as much as $35 billion to the health care system, including up to $10 billion in Medicare savings.
Click here to view a list of resources, including AHRQ patient safety tools and products, being used as part of the campaign.
Click here for more information about Partnership for Patients.
One measure is to reduce preventable hospital-acquired conditions by 40% by the end of 2013. The second measure is to reduce hospital re-admissions by 20% by the end of 2013.
HHS hopes that the combined efforts of this partnership could save 60,000 American lives and reduce millions of preventable injuries and complications in patient care over the next three years. HHS also estimates that successful implementation could save as much as $35 billion to the health care system, including up to $10 billion in Medicare savings.
Click here to view a list of resources, including AHRQ patient safety tools and products, being used as part of the campaign.
Click here for more information about Partnership for Patients.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Concerns Raised About GOP's Plan to Cut Medicaid
An article in the New York Times discusses how Republican's plans to cut Medicaid could have a heavy impact on the nation's aged population.
Read Critics Fear G.O.P.'s Proposed Medicaid Changes Cut Coverage for the Aged by clicking here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/health/policy/11medicaid.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
Read Critics Fear G.O.P.'s Proposed Medicaid Changes Cut Coverage for the Aged by clicking here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/health/policy/11medicaid.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
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