CMS SOM App. A, Tag A-1111

the medical staff.

Interpretive Guidelines §482.55(b)(1)

A qualified member of the medical staff must supervise the provision of emergency

services. Since §482.55(a)(1) requires that emergency services must be organized under

the direction of a qualified member of the medical staff, the requirement for supervision

at§482.55(b)(1) must be distinguished from the prior requirement. In this context,

“supervision” implies a more immediate form of oversight by a qualified member of the

medical staff during all times the hospital makes emergency services available. A

supervisor may be briefly absent from the emergency department, but is expected to be in

the hospital and immediately available to provide direction and/or direct care during the

operating hours of the emergency department.

The medical staff must establish criteria, in accordance with State law, regulations, and

guidelines, delineating the qualifications a medical staff member must possess in order to

be granted privileges for the supervision of the provision of emergency care services.

Qualifications include necessary education, experience and specialized training,

consistent with State law and acceptable standards of practice.

Survey Procedures §482.55(b)(1)

Verify that a qualified member of the medical staff is designated to supervise emergency

services.