This week, CRC Daily covers ambulatory care. Ambulatory surgery centers have increased in number dramatically over the past two decades. Many are physician owned, some are jointly developed and owned by hospitals and physicians, and some are opened by hospitals as either on-license facilities or off-license facilities. Currently, hospitals receive a different reimbursement for on-license (higher reimbursement) versus the off-license facility, but the gap is narrowing.

 Published 4/24/17

When the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act was enacted in 1986, it contained the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). Under EMTALA, hospitals are to ensure public access to emergency services regardless of ability to pay.

 Published 4/24/17

The development of EMTALA compliance checklists and audit tools are important first steps for hospitals to initiate self-monitoring for compliance. Ongoing education and training is also essential. This EMTALA fact sheet is distributed by the HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston, New York, with initial medical staff application packets. It can also be combined with a post-test at the time of reappointment to ensure practitioners continue to be mindful of the requirements under EMTALA.

Check out (and contribute to) the latest conversations on topics ranging from locum tenens and temporary privileges to OPPE indicators and clinical psychology training.

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Have a hot medical staff or credentialing topic you’d like your peers to weigh in on? Send proposed questions to Editor Son Hoang at shoang@hcpro.com, and you could see your idea showcased in a future poll.