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This column addresses specific questions related to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) implementation. How should you handle discarded computers?
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The American Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists have developed a joint statement regarding propofol administration that says when propofol is used for sedation/anesthesia, it should be administered only by persons who are trained in the administration of general anesthesia and who are not simultaneously involved in surgical or diagnostic procedures.
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a memo directing Medicare certification surveyors to confirm that ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are not performing non-ASC list procedures on Medicare beneficiaries, but we think CMS is totally incorrect, says Kathy Bryant, executive vice president of the Federated Ambulatory Surgery Association (FASA) in Alexandria, VA. Bryant updated ASCs on Medicare issues at the recent annual FASA meeting.
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The Quincy, MA-based National Fire Protection Association has approved a tentative interim amendment to the 2000 and 2003 Life Safety Code to allow health care facilities to install alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers in corridors and other public areas.
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In this first part of a two-part series on cost savings in ambulatory surgery, we discuss how to save money in administrative support, benefits, salaries, and services. In next months issue, well discuss telecommunications and occupancy costs
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A hospital in Greenville, SC, will pay nearly $9.5 million to resolve Medicare billing improprieties from 1997 through 1999 in its home health, hospice, and durable medical equipment programs, the Office of Inspector General announced recently.
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When employees are injured in falls, should they be sent to the emergency department or the employee health clinic?
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A California hospital recently saw a 250% improvement in preventing medical errors related to medications after introducing pharmacy automation. Hospital leaders say the use of bar coding and computerized physician order entry has greatly improved patient safety.
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These tips for complying with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are offered by Veronica A. Marsich, JD, a shareholder with the law firm of Smith Haughey in East Lansing, MI.
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When two medical tragedies struck Susan Sheridans family, one of her responses was typical and, most would say, entirely justified. She contacted an attorney and sued the health care providers for malpractice. But Sheridan took a different path from most plaintiffs by focusing more on quality improvement than the amount of money in the settlements.
