Revised Interpretive Guidelines for Hospital Conditions of Participation

The attached interpretive guidelines correspond to the regulatory changes published November 27, 2006 amending Hospital Conditions of Participation pertaining to requirements for history and physical examinations; authentication of verbal orders; securing medications; and post-anesthesia evaluations. The Tag numbers have been revised to correspond to the Tag numbers reflected in the December, 2007 ASPEN release. State survey agencies should not use the temporary Tag numbers identified in the S&C letter of February 23, 2007 (S&C-07-13). The interpretive guidelines also include newly-adopted additional changes that were incorporated into the Calendar Year 2008 Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) regulation. They are effective January 1, 2008.