With hurricane season starting in June and alarm bells being rung on the rise in global temperatures, it has never been more crucial for healthcare organizations to focus on their emergency preparedness and management plans. This is one area where accreditation can help, says Kurt Patton...
As we discussed last month with Julia Finken, RN, BSN, MBA, CPHQ, CLSSMBB, senior vice president of accreditation and regulatory compliance at Barrins & Associates and Patton Healthcare Consulting, many healthcare providers struggle with restraint and seclusion compliance...
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...
