CMS posts compliance survey data, tests streamlined validation process

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday posted a summary of validation survey results for hospitals in fiscal years 2014-2016, and survey reports for hospitals with a compliance deficiency in the past six months. The agency also announced it will pilot test a streamlined validation survey process to reduce duplication and burden on providers, and released its latest annual report to Congress on the performance of accrediting organizations. State survey agencies and private accrediting organizations conduct onsite surveys at hospitals participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs to ensure compliance with federal regulations, and issue a survey report when they cite a hospital for a substantial compliance deficiency. Medicare conducts a validation survey after an AO survey to assess the accreditor’s performance. Under the pilot test, the validator will directly observe the AO survey rather than conducting a second survey to evaluate the accreditor’s ability to assess compliance with CMS conditions of participation.