[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 42, Volume 3]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 42CFR485.641]

[Page 597-598]
 
                         TITLE 42--PUBLIC HEALTH
 
  CHAPTER IV--CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF 
                 HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES--(Continued)
 
PART 485--CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION: SPECIALIZED PROVIDERS--Table of Contents
 
Subpart F--Conditions of Participation: Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs)
 
Sec. 485.641  Condition of participation: Periodic evaluation and quality assurance review.

    (a) Standard: Periodic evaluation--(1) The CAH carries out or 
arranges for a periodic evaluation of its total program. The evaluation 
is done at least once a year and includes review of--
    (i) The utilization of CAH services, including at least the number 
of patients served and the volume of services;
    (ii) A representative sample of both active and closed clinical 
records; and
    (iii) The CAH's health care policies.
    (2) The purpose of the evaluation is to determine whether the 
utilization of services was appropriate, the established policies were 
followed, and any changes are needed.
    (b) Standard: Quality assurance. The CAH has an effective quality 
assurance program to evaluate the quality and appropriateness of the 
diagnosis and treatment furnished in the CAH and of the treatment 
outcomes. The program requires that--
    (1) All patient care services and other services affecting patient 
health and safety, are evaluated;
    (2) Nosocomial infections and medication therapy are evaluated;
    (3) The quality and appropriateness of the diagnosis and treatment 
furnished by nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and 
physician assistants at the CAH are evaluated by a

[[Page 598]]

member of the CAH staff who is a doctor of medicine or osteopathy or by 
another doctor of medicine or osteopathy under contract with the CAH;
    (4) The quality and appropriateness of the diagnosis and treatment 
furnished by doctors of medicine or osteopathy at the CAH are evaluated 
by--
    (i) One hospital that is a member of the network, when applicable;
    (ii) One QIO or equivalent entity; or
    (iii) One other appropriate and qualified entity identified in the 
State rural health care plan; and
    (5)(i) The CAH staff considers the findings of the evaluations, 
including any findings or recommendations of the QIO, and takes 
corrective action if necessary.
    (ii) The CAH also takes appropriate remedial action to address 
deficiencies found through the quality assurance program.
    (iii) The CAH documents the outcome of all remedial action.

[58 FR 30671, May 26, 1993, as amended at 62 FR 46037, Aug. 29, 1997; 63 
FR 26359, May 12, 1998]