Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
CMS To Bolster Oversight Of Commission That Inspects Hospitals For Safety Violations
The Wall Street Journal: Trump Administration To Step Up Oversight Of Hospital Watchdogs
The Trump administration announced increased oversight of organizations that accredit and inspect most U.S. hospitals, following a report last year in The Wall Street Journal focusing on problem-plagued facilities that kept their accreditation status. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which grants accrediting authority, said it will change the way it measures the performance of accrediting organizations in a pilot project and will provide the public with new information about accreditors’ and hospitals’ performance. (Armour, 10/4)
Modern Healthcare: Mandated Nurse-To-Patient Ratios Spark High Costs, Few Savings
Implementing mandated nurse-to-patient staffing ratios would cost Massachusetts providers an estimated $676 million to $949 million a year, net relatively minimal savings and have an insignificant impact on quality, according to a new analysis from the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission. Massachusetts voters will determine whether the November ballot proposal on mandating registered nurse staffing ratios will go into effect on Jan. 1. Hospitals would have to add 2,286 to 3,101 full-time registered nurses, pay them 4% to 6% more as demand increases and develop a patient acuity tool to ensure appropriate staffing levels, the commission said. (Kacik, 10/4)
Richmond Times-Dispatch: Bon Secours And VCU To Collaborate On Children's Services, New Outpatient Facility
Bon Secours Richmond Health System and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU announced Wednesday a new collaborative approach to children’s health care services. Through the partnership, both systems will remain independent but will pool resources and share an outpatient medical office building for pediatric care. (Balch, 10/4)
