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: December 8, 2023
Subject: CMS Reissues Guidance Regarding EMTALA Expectations During Emergencies
Source: CMS
In anticipation of a possible increase in demand for emergency services due to the expected increases of influenza, COVID-19, and RSV this fall and winter season, CMS is reinforcing existing guidance to remind hospitals of the flexibilities available under EMTALA when Emergency Departments (ED) are experiencing surges in demand for emergency care and services.
CMS also expects healthcare staff and surveyors (contractors, Federal, State, and Local) to comply with basic infection control practices to prevent and minimize the transmission of infection within these healthcare facilities while also adhering to the applicable infection control requirements for their respective provider type.
CMS encourages facilities to follow current CDC guidance and recommendations for preventing the transmission of all viral respiratory pathogens including Influenza, Covid-19, and RSV (for more information see https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/viral/prevent-viral.html)
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: December 19, 2023
Subject: FDA Issues Class I Recall of Olympus Bronchoscopes
Source: FDA
On December 19, 2023, the FDA issued a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Olympus Corporation of the Americas (Olympus) is recalling certain bronchofiberscopes and bronchovideoscopes because they may lead to burns or catch fire.
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.