The Joint Commission continues to accept comments from the field on new and revised laboratory standards, available on The Joint Commission’s Web site.
On July 7, staff members in the pediatric ICU (PICU) at Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York (CCMC) celebrated one full year free of central line infections.
Briefings on Accreditation & Quality - Volume 21, Issue 10
When Fredonia (KS) Regional Hospital looked into updating its utilization review program, it focused on two key areas: involving the right people and being aware of its communication with the medical staff and its bylaws.
Prevention of adverse events is a part of working in a hospital environment, and when an event does occur, how those events are dealt with can truly have an effect on patient safety. Because nurses make up one of the largest contingents of staff members, they are often involved in a near miss or...
Briefings on Accreditation & Quality - Volume 21, Issue 10
In July, the Association for Healthcare Accreditation Professionals (AHAP) established a Facebook page for its members. Interestingly enough, several of AHAP’s listserv members responded by advising that their organizations not allow participation on Facebook.
I’ve had a unique opportunity to reflect on the complex system in which we deliver care. The complexities of the broader U.S. healthcare system and intricacies of individual facilities make eliminating medical errors and adverse events an extraordinary challenge. Fortunately, I have retained...
Briefings on Accreditation & Quality - Volume 21, Issue 10
One of the key activities in any survey—mock or the real thing—are those precious moments when surveyors corner a frontline staff member to answer some pertinent questions. The fact is that much of your survey success rests in the hands of the folks at the point of care and point of service in...
In every workplace, no matter the field, there is likely to be certain conflicts between employees and at least one employee who exhibits disrespectful or disruptive behavior. Healthcare is no exception—except bad behavior in healthcare puts patients’ lives at stake.
