Center Reflections

Improving Communication

Pam Stelmack — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:26:42 +0000

In the most recent issue of Perspectives (January 2010), The Joint Commission released new and revised Elements of Performance dealing with improving communication between providers and patients. The current hospital environment is challenged with patients who have language and cultural differences and patients who are either visually or hearing impaired. How the hospitals prepare to [...]

Wendy Sue Woods — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:47:17 +0000

The Ongoing Transformation of The Joint Commission Hospitals anticipating a visit from The Joint Commission can expect the survey process to be unlike surveys that they have previously experienced. Most of the discernable changes are related to the realignment of Joint Commission with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (CMS) The Joint Commission remains committed [...]

PPR CHANGES COMING!

Lisa Eddy — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:31:05 +0000

Complete revision of the PPR appears to be a reality. What we heard from Executive Briefings was that the torturous process of filling out the PPR will be eliminated as a requirement; however the tool will remain available for those organizations that wish to use it for self assessment purposes. There will be no more [...]

News from Executive Briefings

Lisa Eddy — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:36:36 +0000

During the Executive Briefings held by The Joint Commission on Friday, September 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, several interesting issues were announced, some key elements of the National Patient Safety Goal revisions were clarified and much information was presented. During the ensuing weeks, we will be providing information on “take aways” from the briefings and [...]

Turn-Around-Time on TJC Survey Reports

Lisa Eddy — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:13:56 +0000

Used to be a healthcare organization would have weeks (….and weeks) before their TJC report was reviewed by the powers that be in Chicago, scrubbed, and posted to the organization’s website. Now, however, TJC has an approximate goal of a ten day turn around time (2 weeks) to get that report reviewed and posted. And [...]

TJC March 2009 New and Revised Standard Changes

Lisa Eddy — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 07:31:09 +0000

Thursday, March 26, 2009 the Joint Commission released revised 2009 Release of the Revised 2009 Accreditation Requirements for the Hospital Accreditation Program. This revision is in response to the 165 new and revised elements of performance released January 5, 2009, specifically developed to further align the Joint Commission with the CMS Conditions of Participation (due [...]

Hold Off on Credentialing Changes!!

Bud Pate — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:56:25 +0000

There are two versions of the 2009 CMS changes made by the Joint Commission: the version that was emailed on January 6 and the version currently posted at the Joint Commission web site. (It took us a very long time to find the posted version: it’s NOT under standards, it’s under “What’s New.” Go figure!) The [...]

A Handful of New FAQs

Bud Pate — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:44:46 +0000

Over the last month or so the Joint Commission posted a handful of new or revised frequently-asked questions or FAQs to help clarify expectations of the standards. You can find these under the “Standards” then “Standards FAQs” tab at the Joint Commission website (http://www.jointcommission.org). The following is a synopsis of the changes. (We encourage you [...]

165 New Requirements … So What?

Bud Pate — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:33:56 +0000

We’ve completed an analysis of the January 2009 additions to the accreditation manual. There are 165 brand new (or revised) elements of performance. A significant percentage of these requirements (60 or 36%) may have an impact on current practice at your hospital. We’ll be blogging about each new requirement we believe has the potential for [...]

Will the Joint Commission Score the New Requirements Now?

Bud Pate — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:14:56 +0000

On January 6, 2009 the Joint Commission released 165 brand new elements of performance intended to bring existing Joint Commission standards in line with the Medicare Conditions of Participation. In the February, 2009 issue of Perspectives, the Joint Commission said that the new requirements were “schedule for July 1, 2009 implementation but are subject to [...]