CMS Regulations To Be Addressed At APIC Conference

Main Category: MRSA / Drug Resistance
Also Included In: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP;  Public Health;  Conferences
Article Date: 21 Apr 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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The new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations that will eliminate or reduce payments for three hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) will be the subject of a two-day conference for healthcare executives and professionals sponsored by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). "Mastering the New CMS Regulation: Implications for Infection Prevention & Control," takes place September 22-23, 2008 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA.

Beginning October 1, 2008, CMS will no longer reimburse hospitals for costs related to eight preventable conditions, including three HAIs: catheter-associated urinary tract infections (UTIs), catheter-associated blood stream infections, and mediastinitis (a deep infection following coronary artery bypass surgery). The APIC conference will present information on how leading institutions are managing the clinical and economic impact of the new HAI regulations and practical strategies to assist facilities with compliance.

"We see this as an important opportunity to help clinical and administrative leaders work together to reduce infection, improve outcomes and preserve healthcare resources," said APIC Chief Executive Officer Kathy L. Warye. "The conference will offer the most current information from CMS, as well as best practices and ways of approaching quality improvement to achieve reductions in HAIs."

Thomas Valuck, MD, JD, Director, Special Program Office for Value-Based Purchasing, CMS, will serve as conference keynote speaker. Additional presenters include Sanjay Saint, MD, MPH, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System; Daniel Varga, MD, Chief Medical Officer, SSM Healthcare, St. Louis, MO; Chesley Richards, MD, MPH, FACP, Deputy Director, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, CDC; Nellie Leon-Chisen, RHIA, Director, Coding and Classification, American Hospital Association; and P.J. Brennan, MD, Chief of Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

"Eliminating preventable infections is what is best for patients and healthcare institutions," said APIC's 2008 President Janet E. Frain, RN, CIC, CPHQ, CPHRM, Director, Integrated Services, Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento, CA. "We look forward to convening experts from CMS, CDC and leading healthcare institutions to offer a premier learning opportunity that will equip healthcare professionals to better direct performance initiatives that drive compliance with effective infection prevention and control measures."

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APIC's mission is to improve health and patient safety by reducing risks of infection and other adverse outcomes. The Association's nearly 12,000 members have primary responsibility for infection prevention, control and hospital epidemiology in healthcare settings around the globe. APIC advances its mission through education, research, collaboration, practice guidance, public policy, and credentialing. Visit APIC online at http://www.apic.org/.

Source: Liz Garman
Association for Professionals in Infection Control

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