CMS last week proposed revisions that would add recognition of same-sex spouses to the Conditions of Participation (CoPs) and Conditions for Coverage (CfCs) relevant to patients in hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and other healthcare facilities. The changes to definitions and patient...
The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) announced earlier this month that it has recently been certified for a second time by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). The FSMB, which received its initial NCQA Certification in 2012, is certified under NCQA’s Credentials...
The Joint Commission this week announced revisions for prepublication for psychiatric hospitals. Among the revisions are Standard LD.04.03.01, which states that a hospital provides services that meet patient needs. In Element of Performance (EP) A 1, The Joint Commission notes that when...
Amid the healthcare industry’s efforts to reduce the overuse of emergency departments, a new poll indicates too many patients may seek treatment at urgent care centers instead, possibly posing a risk to their health. The poll, conducted by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP...
CMS has released a proposal to strengthen the Shared Savings Program for Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) by placing more emphasis on primary care services and promoting transitions to performance-based risk arrangements. CMS proposes to refine the way Medicare beneficiaries are assigned to...
About 50,000 people are alive today because U.S. hospitals committed 17% fewer medical errors in 2013 than in 2010, government health officials said on Tuesday. The lower rate of fatalities from poor care and mistakes was one of several "historic improvements" in hospital quality and safety...
