CMS improves survey transparency

CMS improves survey transparency

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is updating the timeline for the public release of Form CMS-2567: Statement of Deficiencies and Plan of Correction. Form CMS-2567 is used by CMS to document deficiencies identified during state inspections or surveys of health care facilities. It outlines the specific areas where a facility has failed to meet federal regulations and standards of care. The form also requires the facility to submit a plan of correction detailing how it will address and fix the identified deficiencies. In memorandum QSO-25-19-All, CMS announced that Form CMS-2567 will be publicly releasable within 14 days after receipt by the provider, supplier or lab, which means it can be immediately released upon receipt by the provider/supplier.

Joint Commission updates its standards

To better align with CMS, Joint Commission recently announced that it made significant updates to its accreditation manual for hospitals and critical access hospitals. The changes, part of Joint Commission’s new survey approach dubbed “Accreditation 360: The New Standard,” will go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. The updated approach also introduces new resources to foster a mindset of continuous survey readiness.

ASHE leader elected NFPA Health Care Section Chair

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Health Care Section has elected Chad Beebe, AIA, CHFM, CFPS, CBO, FASHE, deputy executive director of the American Society for Health Care Engineering, as the group’s next chair. Beebe, who has been a section member since 2000, will serve a two-year term. The section provides a forum to discuss and disseminate pressing issues facing health care in an effort to share ideas, solve problems and exchange information — as well as to discuss and review the latest NFPA codes and standards, and share opportunities for NFPA code and standard development. The section also reviews changes to the more than 80 NFPA codes and standards that apply to health care and makes recommendations to technical committees.

ASPR tests biocontainment transporting unit

The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response launched a new portable biocontainment unit (PBCU) for high-consequence infectious disease patients. The PBCU is the first domestic resource for isolating and transporting patients with contagious infectious diseases, like Ebola, for example, to Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers. The unit can be transported by air on a C-130 or L-100 aircraft to any U.S. airport or by ground via a specialized trailer that can be pulled by a tractor or semitruck. This allows for continuous treatment of patients isolated in the PBCU