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As if the False Claims Act (FCA) wasn't already enough of a headache for risk managers, recent changes to the law could bring even more reason to worry. Risk managers should be aware of how the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009 (FERA) will affect them, says Richard Glovsky, JD, a partner with the Boston-based law firm Prince Lobel.
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Lean management techniques helped Lahey Clinic Medical Center, North Shore, in the city of Peabody, MA, boost patient satisfaction and reduce emergency department (ED) waiting times.
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News: A woman presented at a hospital emergency department with complaints of headaches, blurry vision, and shortness of breath. Her work-up included a CT scan of her head, chest X-rays, and routine blood tests.
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It was a marriage of sorts, between two departments credentialing and quality improvement. Two departments that hadn't known each other well before. Two departments that came together for a common goal.
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The director of quality and risk management at Mendocino Coast Hospital in Fort Bragg, CA, Susan Bivins, RN, wasn't sure The Joint Commission was going to show up for the hospital's survey.
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In 2007, Premier Inc. began its Quest program, enlisting hospitals to collaborate and evaluate quality, efficiency, safety, and transparency with oversight from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.
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While the RAC audits could mean significant financial losses for your hospital, a fraud or abuse lawsuit could cost you more. A lot more, says Cheryl Wagonhurst, partner with Folley & Lardner LLP. Some of the "hottest" issues right now that you should be looking at are:
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Replacing the core measure set for pregnancy and related conditions, which comprised three measures, The Joint Commission has introduced a core measure set on perinatal care, with data collection beginning with April 1 discharges.
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With the ever-growing focus on transparency, hospitals are demanding more from quality improvement professionals. When Paul L. Green, RN, MS, CPHQ, started his career in health care, QI professionals ran data and filed them away.
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"We're all glad it's pretty much over," Margaret VanAmringe, MHS, The Joint Commission's vice president for public policy and government relations, says with a laugh.
