Hospital Home Health 2004-05-01

Home health agencies can avoid fraud charges with compliance plans

The Medicare Reform Act passed in 2003 contains a number of new demonstration projects and administrative requirements that affect home health agencies, but the good news is that the myriad new fraud targets the new legislation identifies dont have as much impact on home health as other areas of health care, say experts interviewed by Hospital Home Health.

Be proactive: Improve patients’ quality of life

This is the second of a two-part series that looks at innovative approaches to patient care and expansion of services by home health agencies. This months article looks at the approach of two agencies that have found a way to offer a more holistic approach to patient care.

HIPAA Q & A

Question: If a covered entity is purchasing new computers to replace hardware that has been used to store and create electronic protected health information (EPHI), what actions must the organization take before disposing of the old computers?

LegalEase: New Phase II Stark rules affect provider payments

As many providers already know, the Stark law prohibits physicians from making referrals to providers who render designated health services (DHS) if the referring physicians have an ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, the provider. Exceptions to these general rules were published in the form of final regulations on Jan. 4, 2001, and are known as Phase I Stark rules. On March 26, 2004, Phase II Stark regulations were published as interim final rules in the Federal Register.

Workbook helps prevent needlestick injuries

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has been criticized for not being more directive and aggressive on preventing needlestick injuries, has posted an impressive, interactive workbook on the issue.

Avoid PCA errors with education

Medication errors associated with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps most often are caused by inadequate patient and staff education, misuse by well-intentioned family members, and improper patient selection, according to results of a recent survey by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices in Huntingdon Valley, PA.

Guest Column: Managing the patient care continuum

Health care delivery has grown more sophisticated and complex in response to changing patient needs and emerging technologies. Regardless of length and breadth of the patient care continuum, the goal should be to deliver seamless, patient-centered care. However, with few exceptions, that goal has not been realized.

News Briefs

Nursing organization adopts 2004 platforms; OSHA and CDC establish hand hygiene policies; CMS tightens claims processing requirements.

Hospital Home Health Archives – May 1, 2004

May 1, 2004