Hospitals Star Ratings Preview through December
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a notice stating that preview reports are available until Dec. 30. Preview reports are...
Physician Compare preview period now open
The Physician Compare 30-day preview period opened Nov. 30 on the Quality Payment Program website giving providers the opportunity to preview 2017 Quality Payment...
CDC report shows life expectancy continues to drop
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued their annual report on life expectancy. This marks the first time the United States has experienced a...
National campaigns raise awareness of flu vaccination and hand hygiene
The National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), Dec. 2-8, is a national awareness week focused on highlighting the importance of influenza vaccination. Coupled with that,...
Resources available for flu vaccine campaigns
There are a couple of national campaigns raising the awareness and importance of getting a flu vaccine. Â The message should also be amplified in...
Guidance offered for using humidifiers
The use of humidifiers during cold, dry weather is a great benefit, but special care should be taken when using them.
The South Dakota Department...
CMS launches effort to improve patient safety, quality of care in nursing homes
As a part of the Civil Monetary Penalty Reinvestment Program (CMPRP), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a three-year initiative to...
CMS announces first year results for Quality Payment Program
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma announced that 93 percent of Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) eligible clinicians under...
Antibiotic Awareness Week: Learn why antibiotics aren’t always the answer
Antibiotics are life-saving drugs and important for treating infections, like those that can lead to sepsis. However, when antibiotics aren’t needed, they won’t help...
New Medicare Part D opioid overutilization policies for 2019
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized new policies for Medicare drug plans to follow starting on Jan. 1, 2019. These policies...
