September 15, 2026
National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN): A Next Generation Hemovigilance Module (CDC Video)
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Transcript
Nick Lanyi
The CAP comments on proposed changes to the Medicare physician fee schedule. The CDC promotes its new blood safety platform. And a webinar on proficiency testing compliance. These stories and more coming up next. This is Path News Network Daily Edition from the College of American Pathologists. I'm Nick Lanyi. It's Tuesday, September 15th. In comments submitted yesterday, the CAP urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reject proposed cuts to reimbursements for surgical pathology services. CMS has proposed the changes on the proposed 2027 Medicare Physician fee schedule. The CAP argues that the cuts are based on a flawed analysis that doesn't reflect the complexity of pathology services used to diagnose cancer and other serious diseases and will hurt patient care. The CAP comments also raised concerns about other proposed changes, including how CMS handles software as a medical service. The CAP is strongly urging CMS to wait for the American Medical Association's recommendations on code changes and reimbursement amounts, which are overseen by its relative value scale update committee, the so-called RUC process. The CAP will work with the AMA to ensure that pathologists' voices are heard. Here's Dr. Joe Saad, Chair of the CAP's Council on Government and Professional Affairs, speaking at a CAP webinar on the proposed changes last month.
Dr. Joe Saad
Our primary goal is for CMS not to move forward with any unilateral changes in 2027 and to allow the RUC process to take its course.
Nick Lanyi
The new version of the National Healthcare Safety Network Hemovigilance Module is designed to streamline reporting through a simplified annual facility survey, a consolidated investigation form for adverse reactions, and a rapid alert process for transfusion-transmitted infections. The CDC says only 238 hospitals participate in the Hemovigilance Module out of 3,641 potential facilities that could participate. And finally, some laboratory proficiency tests are mandated by federal law, and others are required as part of CAP accreditation. Determining the requirements and what happens when a lab fails a proficiency test can be a challenge. That's the focus of a one-hour webinar scheduled for Wednesday, October 21st at noon central time. The presenters will be Dr. Lisa Stempak, Chair of the CAP's Continuous Compliance Committee, and Dr. Curtis McGuyer, the committee's vice chair. Here's Dr. Stempak, who is also Vice Chair of Integrated Laboratory Services at the Cleveland Clinic.
Dr. Lisa Stempak
Proficiency testing is complex, and so we're going to start with the basics, what proficiency testing is, what are the requirements from our regulatory agencies, CLIA, as well as CMS. And then we're hoping to tell the participants about the three main aspects of proficiency testing requirements. And that covers enrollment, participation, and then finally performance.
Nick Lanyi
It's important to know what happens when a proficiency test doesn't go well.
Dr. Lisa Stempak
We hope to help labs better understand when they have a PT failure, what the requirements are both for regulated and non-regulated analytes, and provide them with materials as well as steps to follow to make sure that their lab continues to maintain compliance and hopefully ultimately never reaches a cease testing directive.
Nick Lanyi
Dr. Stempak said the webinar could benefit anyone who works in a laboratory, from bench techs to supervisory and administrative staff to pathologists and laboratory directors.
Dr. Lisa Stempak
Ultimately, our goal is to educate and to make labs aware of the requirements and the materials available so that no laboratory reaches a cease testing, that everyone has the knowledge and the skills to identify issues and implement thoughtful solutions, not only to prevent cease testing, but to ensure that patient care is accurate and timely all the time.
Nick Lanyi
That's all for today. See the show notes for more information on today's stories. And if you found this episode interesting, tell your colleagues about it. We'll be back Wednesday at 5 a.m. Eastern for another episode of the Daily Edition. I'm Nick Lanyi. Have a wonderful day.