In this issue . . .
September 2007 • Vol. 3 No. 9
For healthcare compliance
Healthcare facility and perioperative managers will be able to access information and resources on federal safety and health compliance via a convenient Web tool developed by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The Web site provides step-by-step guidance, along with the requirements and educational resources managers need to ensure occupational safety.
CMS ‘conditions-for-coverage’ update
Generally welcomed by ASC groups
A federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposal to update the basic “conditions for coverage” that ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) must meet to provide Medicare or Medicaid services drew general praise from ASC representatives.
AORN accepted as member
Of National Quality Forum
AORN received formal acknowledgement Aug. 23 that its application to join the National Quality Forum (NQF) coalition of healthcare and community leaders has been approved.
Abbreviations the culprit for 5%
Of medication errors, study says
A review of medication errors reported to the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) MEDMARX program between 2004 and 2006 found that almost 5% of the medication errors were attributable to the use of abbreviations that resulted in miscommunication.
Court rules Medicare claims
By doctors should be public
Armed with a federal district court ruling favoring disclosure, a nonprofit consumer research and information organization in Washington, D.C., intends to create an Internet-accessible database reporting the “number of various types of major procedures performed by each physician” who is reimbursed by Medicare.
News briefing for perioperative leaders
This month’s news briefs cover new Joint Commission Resources MDRO consulting service, a report on improved emergency preparedness, information on a new color-coded writstband tool kit, HAI prevention guidelines in Massachusettes, revised guidelines for acute coronary artery disease, and much more.
ASC News
Need help calculating payments you’ll receive for Medicare services under the rules recently unveiled by CMS? AAASC offers a free online tool. This month’s ASC roundup also includes studies on gastric banding procedures and a report comparing total-joint replacement outcomes at orthopedic specialty hospitals against similar procedures performed in hospitals.
Future technology advances promise
Big impact on perioperative practice
An increase in high-risk obstetric and pediatric surgical procedures associated with a predicted spurt in immigration, together with stepped-up demand for surgical care from aging baby boomers, point to a dramatic rise in surgeries requiring general anesthesia in the years ahead.
CMS issues final rules
For inpatient payments
Medicare payments to hospitals will increase by an estimated 3.5% for Fiscal Year 2008, under final Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) rules issued by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) early last month.