Hot Topics 

EHRs pose new challenges for Hospital & CAH surveys    
 
CMS requires the same access for State Agency surveyors to EHRs as they had to paper-based records. Because this is not happening, CMS informed State Agency survey staff to no longer waste time waiting for access to EHRs during surveys. If surveyors do not have access to records within an hour they are to leave the facility and put the facility on the termination track. The State Agency surveyors do not wish to take these measures.  Hopefully this article will spread the word to all CAH staff involved in the survey process and avoid a need for adverse action during surveys. 

Please refer to S&C: 14-31-Hospitals/CAHs for more details.

Click here for the full memo from CMS.

Leslie Howe
MT Flex Program Manager
406-444-9519
Fax 406-444-1742

  
PIN-UP Project Kicks Off
 
The PIN UP project is a collaborative effort between DPHHS, Mountain Pacific/Health Technology Services, and MHREF/MHA to support quality improvement goals.   HTS will assist participating hospitals identify CAH quality reporting requirements and how review how they align with payment reform.  The end goal is to reduce reporting administrative burden by aligning programs and leveraging EHR capabilities.

The following CAHs are participating in this project.   We can't wait to see the results!
Barrett Hospital and Healthcare 
Beartooth Billings Clinic
Broadwater Health Center
Cabinet Peaks Medical Center
Central Montana Medical Center
Dahl Memorial Healthcare
Daniels Memorial Healthcare
Deer Lodge Medical Center
Glendive Medical Center
Liberty Medical Center
Livingston Healthcare
Madison Valley Hospital
Missouri River Medical Center
Mountain View Medical Center
Northern Rockies Medical Center
Phillips County Hospital
Pioneer Medical Center
Pondera Medical Center
Roosevelt Medical Center
Rosebud Healthcare Center
Roundup Memorial Hospital
St. Luke Community Hospital
Stillwater Billings Clinic
Teton Medical Center
Wheatland Memorial Hospital