Governing Body and CMS

Failure to meet governing body responsibilities as defined by CMS is one of the top ASC deficiencies reported by Medicare surveyors. Board members are under mounting pressure to get closely involved in ASC operations. Medicare has mandated that the governing body’s oversight cover everything, from quality issues to infection control to financial management.

The board should not be a rubber stamp:

You must be able to show evidence that the board is actively overseeing the ASC. How? Meeting minutes that include the paperwork of what was discussed and decided during the meetings. In this governing body meeting there should also be approval of any contracts, policies, medical staff credentialing, quality improvement and infection control. Documentation is the only thing we can use to prove involvement. So document everything! Be sure meeting minutes are approved and signed by the governing body.

Source: Surgistrategies