Mandatory for CART users: Depending on which version of CART-Inpatient you are currently using, downloading CART 4.9.1 effective for 10/1/2010 through 3/31/2011 discharges, is now required. In order for cases to not be rejected upon submission, the patch/upgrade is necessary to ensure successful transmission. For more information on this installation, go directly to the CART - Inpatient Download & Info area in QualityNet.
Now available: FACT Sheets for Heart Care (AMI & HF) , Pneumonia and SCIP Manual changes for 4/1/2011 discharges.
CMS has announced the release of PEPPER reports for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), expected in April. As a reminder, these reports currently available to acute care hospitals, provide hospital specific data on Medicare discharges vulnerable to improper payment. For more information, including the current distribution schedule, training & support, view http://www.pepperresources.org/Home.aspx .
A total of 3,021 QUEST questions were processed during the month of January, 2011. Click here to view the QUEST revisions by Topic and QUEST ID#. To search for the revised question & answer, go to QualityNet Quest directly, insert the QUEST ID# and perform a search. Keep the 'Topic' description area set at "All Topics".
The CMS Hospital Compare Web site refresh for March has been delayed. When available, a memo &/or notification announcing the updated display, will be distributed.
In addition to the Selected References noted in the Specifications Manual for SCIP, additional useful resources for the SCIP VTE measures include the following:
-Society of Hospital Medicine: VTE Resource Room
-The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent DVT & PE
-AHRQ: Preventing Hospital-Acquired Venous Thromboembolism
-The Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis
-CDC: Fact's About DVT and Information for Professionals
The Medicare Hospital Inpatient Value Based Purchasing proposed rule is now available. To view and save the complete document click here . A short overview highlighting the proposed performance scoring methods and the proposed quality measures is also available in the CMS Fact Sheet . |