ACHC a Leader As Federal Mandates Are Launched for COVID-19 Vaccination
Alongside the healthcare providers and suppliers that are our customers, Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) shares responsibility for promoting public health. In July 2021, ACHC joined other major healthcare organizations* in a proactive response to COVID-19 by mandating vaccinations for our Surveyors.
On September 9, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CMS is expanding previously issued emergency regulations requiring vaccinations for nursing home workers to include hospitals, dialysis facilities, and ambulatory surgical settings, along with organizations that provide home health services and equipment, as a condition for participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. An Interim Final Rule with Comment Period is expected in October.
CMS has informed accreditation organizations (AOs) and state agencies that all surveyors must be vaccinated. Unlike ACHC, some AOs had not previously made this decision for their workforces, increasing risk to the staffs and patients of organizations being surveyed. The new mandate may impact their ability to perform timely surveys in the future.
Additionally, President Biden has asked the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the agency charged with oversight of workplace safety, to issue an emergency temporary standard requiring companies with more than 100 employees to mandate vaccination or weekly testing. The agency has issued other guidelines for COVID-19 precautions, such as a requirement that health care employers provide protective equipment, provide adequate ventilation, and ensure social distancing, among other measures.
These mandates will have implications for healthcare organizations even if they do not participate in the Medicare program.
The organizations we accredit and certify trust us to help them improve quality and safety. Vaccination is a validated risk mitigation strategy. Mandating COVID-19 vaccinations since July for ACHC Surveyors has reinforced our commitment to serving providers. You can confidently rely on ACHC to safely assist you in meeting your needs, even if you are currently affiliated with another organization.
The health of your staff and patients is of utmost importance.
Read the CMS announcement here.
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