CMS Issues Updated Interpretive Guidelines

The updated Interpretive Guidelines to the Conditions of Participation have been published by CMS and are available by accessing CMS_Interpretive Guidelines 2008-10-17 Complete IG for Hospitals. The Interpretive Guidelines (IG) is presented in a slightly different format and has been consolidated to allow for each of the elements to nest under the categories of the Conditions of Participation (meaning while there is a distinct standard for restraint and seclusion, for example, you’ll find this consolidated under the condition of Patient Rights.) While most of the requirements contained in the updated Interpretive Guidelines remain unchanged, there are some nuanced language changes and notably the changes with the Patient Rights component (restraint and seclusion changes, including restraint death reporting), changes to laboratory services and potentially infectious blood among others. Section II on the first page of the updated Interpretive Guidelines, outlines the specific changes to the CoPs. As this version of the IG was just released, we at Greeley are in the process of review and analysis for significant changes. More information on the impact of any changes will be posted to our blog as we work our way through this new IG update. Until we have an opportunity to notify you about the changes, we suggest you skim the document and focus on any language written in red lettering. Within the new IG, all updated language is annotated in red.