Articles
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COVID-19 Tests Recalled and Others Approved; Cholera Review Urged
COVID-19 tests and cholera testing remain current topics. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a bulletin about a COVID-19 test recall and has approved four more at-home antigen tests.

Background Checks Boost Safety Efforts
As a sleep care provider, patients trust you to deliver excellent services in a safe environment. Performing background checks on employees confirms your commitment to ensuring patients receive secure, quality care.

FDA and CDC Provide Updates for Monkeypox, COVID-19, and Ebola Testing
Federal agencies offer guidance on collecting, transporting, and shipping specimens for Ebola testing and ensuring authorized, valid, and ever-advancing tests for monkeypox and COVID-19 are available for use.

Renal Dialysis: Do Your Part for a Successful Survey
Your survey for ACHC Renal Dialysis Accreditation is a collaborative effort between the Surveyor and your organization. Each is responsible for performing certain duties to collectively ensure a successful survey experience.

Ensure Patient Records Contain Required Items
Patient medical records are used by sleep facility personnel to monitor and document the plan of care for each patient.

Specimen Collection, Shelf-Life Extensions, and More
From best practices for collecting suspected monkeypox specimens to dealing with possible false negatives on COVID-19 testing, the CDC and the FDA provide updates and advice. Review the topics below and share the information with your networks.

Preparing for the End of the COVID-19 PHE
On July 15, Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services, extended the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration for another 90 days. One month later, on August 18, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a blog titled, “Creating a Roadmap for the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.”

COVID Vaccination Compliance Review
ACHC is surveying certain Medicare-certified organizations for compliance with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Infection Control in the Sleep Lab, part 2
Everyone who works in a sleep organization has responsibility for preventing and controlling infection. When a surveyor assesses a sleep lab, they will review the policies, then assess staff understanding of the program and seek evidence of effective implementation.

Infection Control in the Sleep Lab, part 1
While COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of infection control in sleep centers, the issue should always be an organization-wide priority. An effective infection control program identifies risks, defines mitigation efforts, and measures results. Whether in a hospital-based sleep lab with multiple beds, an independent diagnostic testing facility, or a physician-run lab, infection control is essential to improving patient safety and quality of care.