ASHP Gets Heads Up on CMS Plans to Clarify Guidelines
10/23/2008
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is working to resolve critical concerns ASHP expressed regarding revised guidelines on evidence-based protocols and standing orders.
ASHP strongly cautioned the agency that the new guidelines could be interpreted to prohibit pharmacists from using established protocols and standing orders that reduce adverse drug events, improve patient care and lower costs. In a recent letter to ASHP, CMS said that “all parties” now understand that there is a role for the evidence-based protocols and standing orders. CMS expects to issue further guidance on the issue in the near future. Multiple organizations had sought assurances that CMS won’t penalize hospitals for using protocols and orders and that the agency supports their use. CMS met with the Society and other stakeholders in response to an ASHP letter encouraging CMS to clarify the guidelines published Feb. 8. CMS subsequently produced a draft document addressing the protocols and orders issue, and ASHP commented on that, as well The revised guidelines state that the initiation of protocols and orders approved by the medical staff for drugs or biologicals for a patient requires an order from the practitioner responsible for the patient’s care. Visit the Government Affairs area on ashp.org for updates on this issue.
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