IHA Daily Briefing: May 7

CMS Announces Electronic Prior Authorization Initiative
This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced a new electronic prior authorization initiative as part of its Health Technology Ecosystem. CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, M.D., said as part of the initiative, "Health systems, hospitals, physician practices, electronic health record (EHR) vendors, and digital health developers are now joining payers as a unified coalition aligned around a single mission: making electronic prior authorization work end-to-end, on time, for every patient."

Working groups of these stakeholders will determine CMS' interoperability and prior authorization final rule deadlines, seeking to address workflow gaps and technical handoffs across all sectors. CMS said it has been working with EHR vendors to streamline and digitize the prior authorization process for medical items and services. Electronic prior authorization interfaces for impacted payers are mandated to go live across Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program and Health Insurance Marketplace plans on Jan. 1, 2027. The initiative follows last year's U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services' announcement pledging to work with major health plans to streamline prior authorization processes across their lines of business.

FDA: Disruptions in Availability of Neurosurgical Patties, Sponges and Strips
Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Letter to Health Care Providers to notify providers that it is aware the United States is experiencing interruptions in the supply of neurosurgical patties, sponges and strip devices because of recent supplier issues. FDA also updated the medical device shortage list to include neurosurgical patties, sponges and strip devices (product code HBA).

FDA said the disruption in availability of this device is expected to impact patient care and may require adjustments to the clinical management of patients receiving neurosurgery or microsurgery. The FDA announcement provides recommendations for healthcare providers, including encouraging them to consider strategies to conserve the use of neurosurgical patties, sponges and strip products when possible.

White House Releases National Drug Control Strategy
This week, the White House released its National Drug Control Strategy, which is prepared biennially by the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Among other efforts, the strategy emphasizes the importance of effective primary prevention programs and underscores the importance of evidence-based prevention strategies. The initiative establishes new partnerships with organizations supporting youth health and expanding primary prevention; supports an anti-drug use national public relations and education campaign; and enhances the federal drug-free workplace program. Click here to access the fact sheet.

AHA Offers Five Strategies to Minimize Noise in Hospital Settings
Quiet environments are conducive to patient healing and recovery, and can also benefit staff by removing distractions and providing a more communication-conducive work setting. However, delivering hospital-level care-including the use of physiologic monitors, moving large pieces of equipment and responding to emergencies-poses unique challenges for maintaining a quiet environment. To optimize the healing environment and minimize stress, distraction, annoyance and sleep disturbance, hospitals can take steps to reduce avoidable noise. Click here to access five steps the American Hospital Association (AHA) says can help healthcare leaders looking to improve both patient and employee experiences.