Healthcare Regulatory Alerts
CIHQ-ARS notifies its client organizations of any new or modified accreditation standard, or CMS COP for acute care hospitals. Alerts are also published when changes are made by CDC, OSHA, NIOSH, NFPA. Each alert summarizes the standard, regulation, recommendations, likely impact to members, and recommendations for compliance strategies. Whenever possible, alerts are limited to one-page in length so that they can be quickly read and disseminated.
New Regulatory Alert
Date: May 2, 2023
Subject: CMS Issues Guidance as End of Public Health Emergency Nears
Source: CMS
Background:
In a letter to State enforcement agencies (SA’) dated 5/1/23, CMS provided national guidance on compliance expectations in light the COVID public health emergency scheduled to end on 5/11/23.
Staff Vaccination Requirements
CMS will soon end the requirement that covered providers and suppliers establish policies and procedures for staff vaccination. CMS will share more details regarding ending this requirement at the anticipated end of the public health emergency.
Emergency Preparedness Exercises
CMS regulations for Emergency Preparedness (EP) require healthcare entities to conduct exercises to test their EP plan to ensure that it works, and that staff are trained appropriately about their roles and the provider/supplier’s processes. During or after an actual emergency, the EP regulations allow for a one-year exemption from the requirement that the entity perform testing exercises. The exemption only applies to the next required full-scale exercise (not the exercise of choice), based on a 12-month exercise cycle. The cycle is determined by the healthcare entity. (e.g., calendar, fiscal or another 12month timeframe).
Healthcare entities are expected to return to normal operating status and comply with the regulatory requirements for emergency preparedness with the conclusion of the PHE. Hospitals and critical access hospitals must conduct a full-scale exercise within their annual cycle for 2023 and an exercise of choice.
Discussion & Recommendations:
CIHQ Accredited Hospitals, ARS Members and Healthcare Accreditation Certified Professions: To view the discussion & recommendations portion of the alert, log in to your facilities account. All alerts are archived in the library for future access and reference.
Not a CIHQ Accredited Facility, ARS Member or hold HACP certification?
» Visit CIHQ.org to learn more, and to apply.
New Regulatory Alert
Date: May 4, 2023
Subject: FDA Approves First Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine for Older Adults
Source: FDA
Background:
On May 3, 2023, the FDA approved Arexvy, the first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine approved for use in individuals 60 years of age and older to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV.
Discussion & Recommendations:
CIHQ Accredited Hospitals, ARS Members and Healthcare Accreditation Certified Professions: To view the discussion & recommendations portion of the alert, log in to your facilities account. All alerts are archived in the library for future access and reference.
Not a CIHQ Accredited Facility, ARS Member or hold HACP certification?
» Visit CIHQ.org to learn more, and to apply.
New Regulatory Alert
Date: May 11, 2023
Subject: CMS Releases Annual Report To Congress On Accrediting Organizations
Source: CMS
Background:
In a letter to State enforcement agencies (SA’) dated 5/10/23, CMS released its annual report to Congress on its oversight of accrediting organizations.
The Social Security Act, Section 1875(b) requires a performance evaluation of each CMS-approved Accreditation Organization (AO) to verify that accredited provider entities demonstrate compliance with the Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs). The report covers fiscal year 2021.
The full report can be accessed through the following link: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-certification/surveycertificationgeninfo/policy-and-memos-states/fy-2021-report-congress-rtc-review-medicares-program- oversight-accrediting-organizations-aos-and
Discussion & Recommendations:
CIHQ Accredited Hospitals, ARS Members and Healthcare Accreditation Certified Professions: To view the discussion & recommendations portion of the alert, log in to your facilities account. All alerts are archived in the library for future access and reference.
Not a CIHQ Accredited Facility, ARS Member or hold HACP certification?
» Visit CIHQ.org to learn more, and to apply.