Prepare now for a CMS survey to avoid stress and penalties.
Over the past two years or so, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) surveys have been much less frequent in response to the pandemic. However, CMS now says that slow-down is over, and healthcare facilities can expect more surveys from CMS starting now.
Jon Blum, CMS principal deputy administrator and COO said, “We are holding the [healthcare] system accountable. We do not see ourselves as simply putting out rules and hoping the healthcare system responds to those rules. We have really pivoted to a world where we are going to be surveying and holding facilities compliant.”
If your facility has experienced a COVID outbreak, it will be under stricter scrutiny and should expect a CMS survey. But even if your facility hasn’t had a COVID outbreak, you may still be surveyed since CMS is back to its regular survey cadence.
The takeaway from this new information is to have your compliance in place BEFORE a surprise survey, or before an event happens that can trigger a survey.
You already know this, but sometimes it helps to see it in black and white…
The upsides of getting ready NOW for a survey:
- You won’t have to scramble at the last minute when a surveyor shows up
- Your risk of penalties diminishes dramatically
- Preparing for a survey puts processes in place that may even PREVENT stressful incidents or undesirable events
The downsides of getting compliance in order?
- Your to-do list will miss those items
Kidding aside, getting compliance in order can take some serious time and attention. Luckily MedTrainer provides automation to make the process quick and easy. Take a look at what we do.
Also, check out our recent webinar with surveyor Dr. David Shapiro for his tips and insight on how to be prepared for surveys.