A.J. Plunkett

Sep 13, 2023 | psqh.com | A.J. Plunkett

By A.J. PlunkettThe CDC is urging hospitals to implement broader source control as COVID-19 cases are spiking across the country along with an uptick in cases of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. Influenza is also a concern, especially as schools are back in session. Check air-handling systems to ensure ventilation is functioning as they should and consider encouraging more staff and patients to wear masks.

Sep 6, 2023 | psqh.com | A.J. Plunkett

By A.J. PlunkettExpect surveyors from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) to pay more attention to the Life Safety Code® survey and to consider possibly more severe deficiencies involving the LSC after a review by CMS. CMS approved ACHC as a hospital accrediting organization (AO) for another four years but only after a few adjustments to survey processes and standards, according to a notice set to be published in the Federal Register September 6.

Aug 14, 2023 | accreditationqualitycenter.com | A.J. Plunkett

by A.J. Plunkett ([email protected])After years of changing and adding new Conditions of Participation (CoP), CMS has finally updated its only guidance for surveyors, State Operations Manual, Appendix A (SOM). But not entirely.

Aug 10, 2023 | psqh.com | A.J. Plunkett

By A.J. PlunkettAfter years of changing and adding new Conditions of Participation (CoP), CMS has finally updated its only guidance for surveyors, State Operations Manual, Appendix A (SOM). But not entirely.

Aug 7, 2023 | psqh.com | A.J. Plunkett

By A.J. PlunkettThe U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) is encouraging hospitals to prioritize several products on the National Drug Codes (NDC) list for “stewardship and low waste protocols” as officials continue to assess the nation’s supply of sterile injectables after a Pfizer manufacturing plant in North Carolina was hit by a tornado July 19. Both Pfizer and the FDA have said that the immediate impact to the supply chain was minimal.