On August 1, 2007, CMS issued a ruling to improve the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) that include "important provisions to ensure that Medicare no longer pays for the additional costs of certain preventable conditions (including certain infections) acquired in the hospital."
This means that beginning next year, hospitals will be on their own in terms of covering the costs of treating patient conditons that are the result of hospital mistakes or hospital associated infections (HAIs).
According to the CDC, an estimated 1.7 million infections per year are acquired during patient hospital stays, which result in nearly 100,000 deaths every year. And, these infections translate into an estimated cost of $30.5 billion per year for U.S. hospitals, a cost which will no longer be reimbursable.
Prevention of these infections has now become paramount. Hospitals will be forced to pay closer attention to established infection prevention guidelines and look for new ways to limit the spread of HAIs.
by Gary Williams
mdbuyline.com
Go To Entire Article
Unimed-Midwest, Inc. Products that Help Prevent Infection:
gelFAST Personal Hand Sanitizer System
Sanipull Cleanable Vinyl Ribbon Pulls
Emergency Biohazardous Waste Clean Up Kit
Emergency Econo Spill Kit
Chemo Spill Kit
Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers
Hand Soaps (Antibacterial and Regular)
Bio-Safe Skin Protectant
Disinfectants and Cleaners
Exam Gloves
Protection Apparel
