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Older patients hospitalized for acute care or a critical illness are more likely to experience cognitive decline compared to older adults who are not hospitalized, according to a study in the Feb. 24, 2010, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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When research suggests changes in standard medical practice, the public health community expects physicians and hospitals to adopt the new way and help improve patient outcomes.
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On Feb. 17, 2009, the Health Information Technology and Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 (HITECH) was enacted. On that date, tiered civil monetary penalties were put into place for violations following the enactment, and state attorneys general were given the authority to enforce the act.
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Home health agencies now must register to receive a copy of the Provider Statistical and Reimbursement Report (PS&R), which is used to settle the final or audited cost report. Previously, the PS&R was sent to home health agencies by their Medicare intermediary or Medicare administrative contractor.
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Whether patients are being discharged from the hospital to home, another level of care, or transferred to the care of another health care provider, communication is crucial to ensure a safe discharge or transition, says Hussein Tahan, DNSc, MSN, RN, CNA, executive director, international health services at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.
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When patients don't follow their discharge instructions and end up back in the hospital, it may be that they simply don't understand what they were supposed to do at home
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By working closely with a carefully chosen network of skilled nursing facilities, The Methodist Hospital in Houston has smoothed the transitions in care for patients being discharged to the facilities
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Although prior privacy requirements called for home health agencies to notify patients when a breach of privacy was discovered, the Health Information Technology and Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 (HITECH) specifically identifies time frames and content of notifications.
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Does your home health agency meet all of the requirements for compliance with the privacy and security sections of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)? Are you in compliance with the Health Information Technology and Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009? Do you know the specific requirements of the HITECH Act?