Discharge planning is key to appropriate placement of patients post-hospitalization in general acute hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Every hospital needs to be familiar with CMS regulations and interpretative guidelines on discharge planning. This presentation will provide information to assist staff in preparation for routine surveys, complaint investigations and validation surveys in understanding survey expectations.

• Describe basic requirements for discharge planning conditions of participation (CoPs).

• Discuss applicability and how to utilize surveyor discharge planning worksheets.

• Describe proposed regulatory changes in discharge planning CoPs.

• Describe the impact of individual state CARE Acts and CMS discharge planning CoPs.

This program is intended for general acute hospitals including Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO) and Det Norske Veritas (DNV) accredited hospitals, non-accredited hospitals and CAHs including staff such as CEOs, CMOs, CNPs, nurses, case management staff, discharge planning staff quality improvement staff, JCAHO/DNV liaison staff and others responsible for ensuring compliance with the regulations.

Nancy Ruzicka is a recognized expert on state and federal rules, regulations and interpretative guidelines who has presented at many organizations and educational events. She previously worked as director of integrity and compliance and privacy official at Mercy Medical Center-Des Moines, director of regulatory compliance at UnityPoint Health, Des Moines and has more than 20 years of experience with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. Ruzicka holds master’s degrees in health law and business administration and a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, all from Drake University. She is certified in health care compliance and maintains her Iowa pharmacy license.