Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing Specimens Associated with COVID-19 (updated May 11, 2020)

Acute Care Hospital Program, Ambulatory Surgery Center Program, Clinical Laboratory Program, Critical Access Hospital Program

Attention: Acute Care Hospital, Critical Access Hospital, Clinical Laboratory, Ambulatory Surgery Center Please share this with: Accreditation Coordinator Quality Director Medical Director – Laboratory services Administrative Director – Laboratory Laboratory Manager Point of Care Coordinator The CDC has updated Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing Specimens Associated with COVID-19 Key points: This is…

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Update: HFAP to begin onsite surveys in June

Acute Care Hospital Program, Ambulatory Specialty Care/Office Based Surgery Program, Ambulatory Surgery Center Program, Behavioral Health Program, Clinical Laboratory Program, Compounding Pharmacy Certification, Critical Access Hospital Program, Joint Replacement Certification, Stroke Certification, Wound Care Certification

In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, HFAP paused onsite survey activity beginning in mid-March. At that time, we began collecting weekly data from organizations as each entered the six-month period (the “survey window”) prior to the stated expiration of accreditation/certification. At this time, we expect to begin surveying in the month of June.…

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Laboratory News Items: SARS-CoV-2 Laboratory Testing Comparison & CLIA-issued Abbott iStat FAQs

Clinical Laboratory Program

Please share this announcement with: Medical Director, Laboratory Services Administrative Director and Managers, Laboratory Services Memo 20-06-CLIA: CMS SARS-CoV-2 Testing Comparison KEY POINTS CMS is committed to taking critical steps to ensure America’s clinical laboratories can respond to the threat of COVID-19. Laboratories need a CLIA certificate to perform SARS-CoV-2 testing. Guidance on the different…

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Update: No HFAP surveys through May

Acute Care Hospital Program, Ambulatory Specialty Care/Office Based Surgery Program, Ambulatory Surgery Center Program, Behavioral Health Program, Clinical Laboratory Program, Compounding Pharmacy Certification, Critical Access Hospital Program, Joint Replacement Certification, Stroke Certification, Wound Care Certification

In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, HFAP initially paused onsite survey activity from Mid-March through April. On April 15, the decision was made to extend the moratorium through May. On May 15, a decision will be made about resuming surveys in June. We will move forward month-by-month until it becomes reasonable to conduct…

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