Hospital Buyer

CMS published today a final rule revising requirements in the hospital conditions of participation (CoPs) for completion of history and physical examinations, authentication of verbal orders, securing medications, and completion of post anesthesia evaluations. The 42 CFR Part 482 regulation was published in the Federal Register yesterday and will be effective as of January 26, 2007. It had initially been proposed on March 25, 2005 to lighten the administrative burden imposed by the government. Its requirements are:

• “History and Physical (H&P) examination. This requirement expands the timeframe for completion of the H&P and expands the number of permissible professional categories of individuals who may perform the H&P.
• Authentication of verbal orders. This regulation requires that all orders, including verbal orders, must be dated, timed, and authenticated by the prescribing practitioner with a temporary exception. For a five-year period beginning with the date of publication of the final rule, the regulation requires that all orders, including verbal orders, must be dated, timed, and authenticated promptly by the prescribing practitioner or another practitioner responsible for the care of the patient, even if the order did not originate with him or her. CMS believes this temporary revision to the authentication requirement will reduce burden and provide flexibility for hospitals until the advancement of health information technology is sufficient to allow the prescribing practitioner to authenticate his or her own orders promptly and efficiently.”

November 28, 2006 Related topics: Legal & legislative, Finance