The programs must be hospitalwide and adhere to nationally recognized guidelines on the surveillance and prevention of healthcare-associated infections, along with the optimization of antibiotic use.
Hospitals will have six months to implement a program after the final rule is published in the Federal Register.
“The changes are aimed at effectively reducing the development and transmission of HAIs and antibiotic-resistant organisms that ultimately will greatly improve the care and safety of patients while adding cost benefits for hospitals,” CMS said in a fact sheet.
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