Healthcare DIVE June 9, 2020
Dive Brief:
- CMS on Tuesday released guidelines for health facilities to resume nonemergency services in states ready to begin the second phase of reopening under the Trump administration’s general guidance.
- The document promotes continued use of telemedicine as much as possible and states facilities must maintain the necessary space, equipment and workforce in case of a surge of COVID-19 patients.
- It suggests facilities should be prepared to screen all visitors and staff for symptoms, provide masks to patients, family members and caregivers who don’t have one and establish separate areas for non-COVID-19 care. Major surgeries should still be limited as much as clinically possible, according to the guidance.
Dive Insight:
Hospitals and medical practices have taken major financial...