Ga. Medicaid Part II Policies & Procedures for Hospital Services § 1201

1201.1. The Division of Medical Assistance is committed to improving safety and reducing

medical errors for patients within the hospital. Effective October 1, 2001, each hospital

must implement a patient safety program that meets the following requirements:

1201.2. Program Requirements

1201.3. Hospital shall implement a patient safety program that will meet the following

minimum criteria:

1201.3.1. Peer review protected infrastructure to promote reporting and sharing of

information on patient safety and medical errors.

1201.3.2. Uniform reporting standards and definitions for adverse patient events.

1201.3.3. Safety alerts for quick communication of strategies to prevent errors

identified as the most frequently occurring types of sentinel events and

other patient safety risk factors.

1201.3.4. Dissemination of evidence-based best practices for reducing medical

errors, improving patient safety and enhancing quality of care.

1201.3.5. Provider education to promote adoption of patient safety practices into

their clinical practice guidelines and standards.

1201.3.6. Participating in agreements, which require the implementation of internal

programs for corrective actions and continuous improvement. The

participating hospital shall:

1201.3.6.1. Develop and implement an ongoing, proactive program

for defining, identifying and managing risks to patient

safety and medical errors throughout the organization

with defined executive responsibility for the program;

1201.3.6.2. Measure the effectiveness of process and system

improvements.

1201.3.6.3. Establish data reporting systems for the collection of

data on defined processes that affect patient safety; and

1201.3.6.4. Implement pertinent best practice for reducing medical

errors and enhancing positive care outcomes.

1201.4. Program Compliance

1201.4.1. Hospital providers shall demonstrate compliance with Section 1302. In

the event the hospital does not demonstrate compliance, the Division

may require the hospital to submit a plan of action. If the plan of action is

approved, the Division will permit the hospital to become compliant with

policy within a prescribed time period.