Home > News  > December, 2010

CMS: History & Physical Can Be Performed on Day of Surgery

Regulator responds to confusion over H&P rule for ASCs.

Published:December 22, 2010

Categories:

Ambulatory surgery centers may perform a history and physical on a patient the same day that patient is scheduled for surgery, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has clarified in new guidance for state surveyors.

The existing H&P requirement for ASCs, as written, had been causing confusion among state surveyors, who reportedly didn't know whether the requirement that H&Ps be performed "not more than 30 days before the date of the scheduled surgery" allowed the assessments to be conducted on the actual day of surgery. The ASC Association says it brought this concern to the attention of CMS, which responded by issuing a letter to state survey agencies late last week clarifying the requirement. The letter clarifies 3 major points:

  • "The comprehensive H&P may be performed on the same day as the surgical procedure, and may be performed in the ASC." However, the H&P must be performed before the patient is prepped and brought into the OR.

  • "If the H&P is performed on the day of the surgical procedure in the ASC, the H&P assessment may be combined with some, but not all, of the elements of the pre-surgical assessments." Specifically, it cannot be combined with the anesthesia/procedure risk assessment, which must be performed after the H&P by a physician.

  • "A comprehensive medical H&P assessment is required regardless of the type of surgical procedure."

    The guidelines outlined in the letter are effective immediately. Read the full letter here.

    Irene Tsikitas

    More breaking news

    • © Copyright Herrin Publishing Partners LP. REPRODUCTION OF THIS COPYRIGHTED CONTENT IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. We encourage LINKING to this content; view our linking policy here

    Also in the News...

    Adenotonsillectomy Improves Sleep Apnea in Children

    Aetna Sues NJ ASC Over Out-of-Network Practices

    Eye Surgeon Not Liable for Prepping Mishap

    Did Rushing Cause This Fatal Surgical Error?

    Does Your Insurer Have to Pay to Defend You?

    Stark Violations Might Cost Tuomey Healthcare System $357M

    Tech Walks Out on Surgical Case, Sues Hospital for Firing Him

    © Copyright Herrin Publishing Partners LP. REPRODUCTION OF THIS COPYRIGHTED CONTENT IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. We encourage LINKING to this content; view our linking policy here

     
    Have an account? Please sign in:
    Email Address:
    Password:

    DID YOU SEE THIS?
    Imaging

    See the Surgical Field Like Never Before
    /_media/adv/web/images/2012/20120329_Arthrex_AR-300x250.jpg

    Other Articles That May Interest You

    Court: Misplaced IV Line Did Not Cause Post-Op Complications

    Patient sued hospital over swollen arm, complex regional pain syndrome.

    How These 3 Wrong-Site Surgeries Could Have Been Prevented

    Composites based on real cases from the Minnesota Department of Health.

    Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections Turn Deadly

    Contaminated steroid from compounding center linked to deadly meningitis outbreak.