This week’s updates include a notice of proposed rulemaking for bundled payment models for high-quality, coordinated cardiac and hip fracture care; FY 2017 rate update for inpatient psychiatric facilities PPS; and more!
When it comes to providing high-quality patient care, most American hospitals simply don’t. That’s if the recent round of five-star rankings from CMS are to be believed. About 1,700 hospitals (39%) earned just three out of five stars, an “average” rating, FierceHealthcare reported.
Q: If my medical waste includes PHI, do I need a BAA with our waste management vendor?
A: Yes. For example, clinics and hospitals contracting with bio-waste disposal vendors that dispose of IV bags execute a BAA with the bio-waste disposal vendors. It's no different than the requirement to execute a BAA with a document shredding vendor. If the vendor will come in contact with PHI, a BAA is in order.
Editor's note: Apgar is president of Apgar & Associates, LLC, in Portland, Oregon. He is also a BOH editorial advisory board member. This information does not constitute legal advice. Consult legal counsel for answers to specific privacy and security questions. Opinions expressed are that of the author and do not represent HCPro or ACDIS. Email your HIPAA questions to Associate Editor Nicole Votta at nvotta@hcpro.com.
It's no secret that hospitals struggle with assigning the most appropriate status for patients, and this challenge is compounded by CMS' frequent changes to its regulations and guidance. To combat incorrect patient status assignments, one hospital has developed a system that rewards employees for speaking up when they suspect a patient's status is incorrect.
