CMS 'never pay' rule is game-changer for CFOs
CMS 'never pay' rule is game-changer for CFOs
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) no longer will pick up the tab for preventable surgical site infections (SSIs) following cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) procedures, including pacemaker and defibrillator implants. The decision aims to protect patients from acquiring these hospital-acquired infections, but it also will significantly impact hospital practices, according to a new national survey of hospital CFOs.
The survey polled 50 hospital CFOs at academic health centers and community hospitals across the United States to determine how hospital practices are likely to change as the result of the new CMS rule. Interestingly, the survey found that more than 50% of hospital CFOs plan to adopt new technology in response to the Medicare cuts for heart device infections, according to Medical Device Daily, also published by AHC Media, which publishes Same-Day Surgery.
"It is clear that hospital CFOs plan to implement a number of changes within their respective hospitals to lessen the impact of the new CMS 'never pay' rule and drive down CIED infections as much as possible," said Robert White, CEO of Tyrx in Monmouth Junction, NJ, which makes implantable combination drug-device products designed to help reduce CIED infections.
White said that the costs of a pacemaker or defibrillator implant procedure can be upward of $75,000 and often exceeds $100,000. That's a significant bill the hospitals will have to foot if the procedure is followed by a CIED-related infection. It's no wonder 62% of CFOs surveyed consider the financial impact of the new CMS rule to be "very significant," to their hospital organizations.
Tyrx also was interested in finding out what these hospital CFOs plan to do to lessen the financial impact of this new rule. White said he was "actually a bit surprised" when the results indicated that nearly all CFOs surveyed had adopted, or said they plan to adopt, new technologies designed to help reduce the risk of CIED infections. Also, half of those surveyed specifically cited increased use of the Tyrx AIGIS Antibacterial Envelope.
"That's good for us, but also a surprise," White said.
The AIGIS Envelope is designed to aid in the stabilization of CIED placement as well as to help reduce surgical-site infections associated with CIEDs. AIGIS products contain the antimicrobial agents rifampin and minocycline, which have been shown to reduce infection by organisms representing most infections reported in CIED-related endocarditis, including "superbugs" or MRSA, Tyrx noted.
The AIGIS is an envelope/pouch that holds the implanted device when it is inserted into the surgically created pocket. Once implanted, the resorbable polymer begins to break down and releases the two antibiotics. Minocycline and rifampin are released into the pocket for 7-10 days to help reduce the possibility of infection.
The survey also found 82% of CFOs surveyed plan to use internal reporting measures to reduce the incidence of the CIED infections, while 74% of CFOs surveyed also believe their facilities may reduce the use of CIEDs when alternative therapies are available. Only 6% of hospital CFOs responded that their organization had not taken any actions to reduce the incidence of existing healthcare-acquired infections.
Patients with surgical site infections following CIED procedures spend an average of two extra weeks in the hospital, undergo repeat surgical procedures to treat the infection, and cost the facility an average of $72,485, the survey noted. Also, such patients experience significant increases in morbidity and mortality, with one-year mortality rates of between 26.5% and 35.1%, depending on the type of device.
"Surgical site infections are expensive to treat and have a significant financial impact on hospitals as well as on patients' health and wellbeing," White said.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) no longer will pick up the tab for preventable surgical site infections (SSIs) following cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) procedures, including pacemaker and defibrillator implants.Subscribe Now for Access
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