BRIEFLY - Government Activity

Health Management Technology, March, 2000

Closing in on Medical Error Reporting Rules The Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability of the Surgeon General's Office met in late January to discuss how to reduce errors and accidents in blood administration. Officials from CLMA expected several congressional bills on medical errors to be proposed by late February. The bills would establish demonstration projects at healthcare institutions to determine causes of errors and test reporting systems. Some draft bills may include requirements for hospitals and physicians to tell patients when mistakes occur.

Guidance for Fighting Fraud in Nursing Homes The Department of Health and Human Services issued a draft guidance to help nursing homes combat fraud and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid programs. While not binding rules, the guidance encourages nursing facilities to create compliance programs that periodically assess a facility's quality of care, residents' rights, billing and cost reporting and record keeping. The new guidance focuses on seven elements, including establishing a compliance committee or hiring a compliance officer. Contact the Office of the Inspector General, DHHS, 202-619-0893.

Telemedicine Growth The telemedicine industry will grow 40 percent each year over the next 10 years, according to Waterford Telemedicine Partners Inc., New York. In the United States, the company expects telemedicine will represent at least 15 percent of all healthcare expenditures by 2010. For information on the "Telemedicine Industry Report 2000," call 212-755-1965.