Editor's Note Despite widespread adoption of contact precautions for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), there is no strong clinical trial evidence to support the mandated use of these precautions, three noted infection prevention researchers say. Without the support of evidence, policy makers from 2000 to 2010 passed…

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Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified medical device labelers that the compliance dates for unique device identifier (UDI) requirements for Class I and unclassified medical devices has been extended from September 24, 2018, to September 24, 2020, and for direct mark requirements from September 24, 2020,…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission on February 22 announced that recent changes had been made to simplify and streamline the accreditation post-survey process and decision rules. Among the changes: An organization with an accredited with follow-up decision will receive full accreditation once it has successfully submitted evidence of standards compliance.…

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Even before Trump took office, Congress was planning to prepare ACA repeal legislation by January 27. It looked as though action could be swift once key members of the new administration took office. However, The Washington Post’s report of a January 26 meeting of Republican lawmakers indicated they were far…

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What makes an OR subject to an immediate jeopardy finding from a Medicare inspection? Immediate jeopardy is cited when a provider’s noncompliance with one or more of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid’s (CMS) Conditions of Participation causes or is likely to cause serious injury, harm, impairment, or death.  …

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There is a lot of buzz in the healthcare community about a newcomer to the accreditation process. For many years, the Joint Commission was the first choice for providing accreditation for hospitals in the US. But Norway-based Det Norske Veritas (DNV) is gaining ground, representing more than 350 hospitals and…

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Editor's Note New Massachusetts (Mass) state regulations approved January 11 allow freestanding ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) to apply for permission to expand or offer new lines of procedures without being affiliated with an acute care hospital, the January 19 Enterprise News reports. The new regulations lift a 20-year moratorium on…

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Editor's Note The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on December 13 issued a final rule allowing full practice authority for certain advanced practice registered nurses working in VA facilities, including certified nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and certified nurse midwives. The rule excludes certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), following lobbying…

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Editor's Note The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) on December 7 applauded Congress for passing the 21st Century Cures Act, which includes two provisions that benefit Medicare patients and physicians in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). The first provision, Section 4012, directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to…

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Editor's Note Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) must comply with nondiscrimination requirements in Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act by October 19, the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association announced on September 28. The Act prohibits sex discrimination and requires language assistance for those with limited English proficiency and effective communication for…

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