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.
COVID-19 PHE is Renewed Through July 15
CMS continues to gradually end some emergency blanket waivers allowed under the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) for some providers, but for now the 1135 waivers remain intact for acute care and critical access hospitals. The current 90-day PHE declaration was renewed and posted online Wednesday, and is effective through July 15.
New York Grants Full Practice Authority to State’s Nurse Practitioners
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the state budget into law on Saturday, that includes legislation that eliminates the requirement for NPs to have a written practice agreement with a physician and allows them to provide the full scope of services they are educated and clinically trained to provide.
Healthcare Workers Experiencing Moral Injury Similar to Combat Veterans
The new research article, which was published by the Journal of General Internal Medicine, is based on information gathered from 618 veterans who served in a combat zone after Sept. 11, 2001, and 2,099 healthcare workers who have provided care during the pandemic.
Is the COVID-19 Federal PHE Nearing Its End?
CMS continues to gradually end some emergency blanket waivers allowed under the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) for some providers, but for now the 1135 waivers remain intact for acute care and critical access hospitals. The current 90-day PHE declaration, effective through April 16, could be renewed as early as next week. However, there is a new note recently added atop HHS’ online list of PHE declarations.
Trends in Outpatient Mental Healthcare During Pandemic Have Telehealth Implications
The new study was published by HealthAffairs. The study is based on an analysis of claims data from Office Ally, a claims clearinghouse for Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payers. The researchers compared mental health service utilization from time periods before and during the pandemic: 2016 to 2018 and March to December 2020.
Why Nurses Are Raging and Quitting After the RaDonda Vaught Verdict
In the wake of Vaught’s trial ― an extremely rare case of a healthcare worker being criminally prosecuted for a medical error ― nurses and nursing organizations have condemned the verdict through tens of thousands of social media posts, shares, comments, and videos. They warn that the fallout will ripple through their profession, demoralizing and depleting the ranks of nurses already stretched thin by the pandemic. Ultimately, they say, it will worsen healthcare for all.