US · guidance
CMS SOM App. W, Tag C-0862
§485.616(a) Standard: Agreements With Network Hospitals
In the case of a CAH that is a member of a rural health network as defined in
§485.603 of this chapter, the CAH has in effect an agreement with at least one
hospital that is a member of the network for:
Interpretive Guidelines §485.616(a)
Section 485.603 defines a rural health network as an organization that includes at least
one hospital that the State has designated or plans to designate as a CAH, and at least one
hospital that furnishes acute care (hospital) services.
Survey Procedures §485.616(a)
• If the CAH is a member of a rural health network having a communications
system, ask to see the agreement.
• How does the CAH participate with other hospitals and facilities in the network
communications system?
o Is a communications log kept at the facility?
o Ask staff if there have been difficulties in contacting network members. If
so, ask how the CAH deals with communication delays.
• How does the network’s communications system compare with any available
communications equipment in the CAH?
• When the network communications system is not in operation, how does the CAH
communicate and share patient data with other network members?
• Review any policies and procedures related to the operation of any
communications system.
• How is the CAH staff educated on the use of any communication system utilized
in the facility?
• Review any written agreements with the local EMS service.
History
Rev. 200, Issued: 02-21-20; Effective: 02-21-20, Implementation: 02-21-20
Provenance
- Source
- cms.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-07-22
- Edition
- som-2026-07-22
- Content hash
a5db4a08927290dda8a32f8e8852e9b10d1a4a4cb195440213300bdeeec8ee49
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