Citing feedback that required further research, The Joint Commission last week announced it will postpone implementation of its revised diagnostic imaging requirements for hospitals, critical access hospitals, and ambulatory care organizations. The changes were intended to take effect July 1...
"What if the federal government told you that pharmacists were not healthcare providers even though they have been providing healthcare since the birth of our nation?” wrote pharmacist Greg L. Alston in a recent MultiBriefs post. Section 1861 of the Social Security Act recognizes...
As part of the changes in its recent final rule, CMS has eliminated the requirement that ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) have radiologists on their medical staffs. Instead, ASCs using radiologic services will be required to “appoint an individual qualified in accordance with State law and...
Multi-hospital systems will be allowed to use a unified and integrated medical staff structure, according to revised Conditions of Participation (CoP) published this week by the CMS. The organization cited the lack of evidence that a unified medical staff model is detrimental to...
Despite dire predictions, the nation’s primary care system is handling the increased number of insured patients without major problems so far, according to interviews with community health centers, large physician practices, and insurers nationwide. Five months in, with about 13...
New guidelines issued by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) will safeguard patients’ privacy and ensure high-quality care in a fast-changing healthcare delivery environment, according to the group. However, some patient advocates, healthcare providers, and healthcare organizations...