Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare facilities
Nov 12, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the approval of the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, dba QUAD A, for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for Ambulatory Surgical Centers that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. This approval is applicable from November 27, 2024, through November 27, 2029.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 6, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "HHS 42 CFR subpart B; Sterilization of Persons in Federally Assisted Family Planning Projects." This consent form solicits information to assure voluntary and informed consent to persons undergoing sterilization in health services programs supported by federal financial assistance administered by the United States Public Health Service (PHS). Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 6, 2024 - Announces the winners of the 2025 National Rural Honor Roll, an award recognizing rural healthcare facilities with excellence in patient experience and quality of care. Also announces facilities receiving a 4 or 5 star in the National Rural Rating System's Star Ratings.
Source: National Rural Health Association
Nov 4, 2024 - A rural Georgia hospital experienced a ransomware attack, taking offline its electronic health records and IT systems. Discusses the disruption to patient care when a rural hospital is attacked and recent initiatives by the federal government and private sector to improve rural hospital cybersecurity.
Source: GovInfoSecurity
CDC: Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review
Federal Register
Nov 4, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on a proposed information collection project titled "National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)." NHSN is used to track healthcare-associated infections and the extent to which healthcare facilities adhere to infection prevention practices and antimicrobial stewardship. The proposed changes in this information collection request include revisions to 74 existing data collection forms and 10 new forms. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 1, 2024 - Announcement of new policies included in the 2025 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center final rule. Describes updated health and safety requirements for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to improve and expand access to quality maternal and behavioral health care. Notes policy changes including updated payment rates, staffing standards, quality assessments, training requirements, and expanded coverage for services provided outside the "four walls" of behavioral health clinics and clinics located in rural areas.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Oct 25, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical corrections to the February 8, 2024, final rule. This correcting amendment is effective October 25, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 22, 2024 - Describes the challenges for rural Missouri hospitals in offering healthcare. Discusses common financial issues, rural facility closures over the past decade, and the value in access to emergency care for rural residents.
Source: KFVS 12
CDC: Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review
Federal Register
Oct 21, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allowing an additional 30 days for comments on a proposed information collection request titled "National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Coronavirus (COVID-19)." This information collection is designed to standardize the data elements collected from across the country regarding the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare facilities. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 21, 2024 - Highlights the experience of a pregnant rural Georgia woman in a maternity care desert. Discusses maternity care deserts nationally, obstetric and gynecologic care in Federally Qualified Health Centers, general health disparities in areas with limited access to healthcare, and increasing the healthcare workforce for rural areas.
Source: WABE, PBS, NPR