The Joint Commission has updated its frequently asked questions and answers with one regarding the competence of independent practitioners to perform waived tests. The posted question asks, “Are competency assessments required for licensed independent practitioners (LIPs) performing waived...
The recently announced postponement of the ICD-10 implementation deadline presents a dilemma for many providers that were ready to activate the new system. However, all organizations will want to use the delay to trigger a review of their readiness, and the results will in large part...
Community factors explain a substantial amount of variation in hospital readmission rates, according to a study reported in Health Services Research earlier this week. The study assessed the effect of county demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, access to care, and nursing home...
Primary care physicians (PCP) are in a difficult spot these days. Paid less than specialists, many jam their schedules with 15-minute appointments to bring in cash. Hospitals are buying up clinics, and some independent physicians are eager to join and leave the business-side headaches to someone...
The latest Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Experience Report shows significant increases in participation in two voluntary programs. More than 430,000 professionals participated in the PQRS and more than 340,000 in the eRx programs, according to...
This Editor’s Note is from a blog by William F. Mills, MD, MMM, CPE, FACPE, FAAFP, senior vice president of quality and professional affairs for Upper Allegheny Health System and co-author of The Medical...
