The CMS Patient Safety Structural Measure (PSSM) went into effect this January for acute care hospitals and for cancer hospitals exempt from the Prospective Payment System (PPS). Built around five domains, the PSSM is meant to assess whether hospitals have a structure and culture that...
Near misses—unplanned incidents that have the potential to cause harm but do not—present valuable opportunities to identify systemic vulnerabilities and prevent adverse outcomes in settings like behavioral health.
Because of the risk of physical injury, psychological trauma, or even death, CMS and Joint Commission (TJC) surveyors expect strict adherence to rules regarding patient restraints. There are times when hospitals and healthcare providers need to restrain a patient physically or chemically, but...
CMS frequently uncovers common compliance issues during inspections of ambulatory surgery centers (ASC). These deficiencies involve lapses in infection control, patient safety concerns, and failures to fully adhere to CMS regulations.
As we leave 2024 behind us, accreditation professionals and leaders should look ahead to the new year and the challenges it will bring. But a new year also brings new possibilities and opportunities, which is why IAQ spoke with John R. Rosing, MHA, FACHE, a...
The Joint Commission (TJC), CMS, and other regulatory bodies keep accreditation and quality leaders on their toes every day. We’ve caught up with Kurt Patton, MS, RPh, founder and president emeritus of Patton Healthcare Consulting, on several subjects throughout the year that...
One of the most stressful things about a healthcare survey is that you don’t always know what surveyors will uncover. Is there a Condition of Participation that you’ve been noncompliant on for years? What if an emergency situation happens while the surveyors are in the building? How...
As we approach Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, the desire to bring cheer and decorate the healthcare environment is natural. However, a bit like Scrooge and the Grinch, infections and fire hazards don’t recognize holidays. Nor do The Joint Commission (TJC) and CMS let healthcare staff...
On January 1, 2025, the new workplace violence (WPV) prevention standards for home health agencies will go into effect for facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. Some of the requirements that will go into effect include creating a formal definition of WPV, outlining leadership oversight...
In May, the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) introduced its revised Long-Term Care Dialysis (LTCD) Certification, offering a new level of recognition for providers delivering dialysis services in long-term care and skilled nursing facilities. This certification is available to all...
