Assessing compliance with the LSC has always been a tricky proposition, since a deficiency that is obvious to one individual might not be so obvious to another, based on surveyors’ different levels of knowledge.
If you’ve been in healthcare safety for any length of time, you’ve been lectured at before. OSHA wants you to keep your clinic safe. You’ve been told several times by this publication to watch out for slips, trips, and falls, reduce your needlestick risks, and make sure you are compliant with...
This is Part 2 of our interview with Kurt Patton, MS, RPH, founder of Patton Healthcare Consulting and a former director of accreditation services for The Joint Commission (TJC). He is joined by Jennifer Cowel, RN, MHSA, president of Patton Healthcare Consulting...
Inside the laboratory there are many safety controls for hazardous materials—but what controls do you have when transporting those materials outside the lab? The substances and materials lab workers use to do their jobs don’t appear in the building by magic. Nor are they beamed to their final...
Healthcare facilities aim to provide high-quality care to patients in an environment that is safe for workers. One of the ways facilities can ensure their staff’s safety is through a comprehensive sharps injury prevention program.
In reviewing the April 2024 edition of Joint Commission Perspectives, specifically the Consistent Interpretations column, I noticed that almost a third of the hospitals surveyed in 2023 were cited for issues relating to the weekly inspection of Emergency Power Supply System (EPSS)...
The Joint Commission (TJC) has released its annual list of the most challenging standards for hospitals and other healthcare facilities. In 2023, many hospitals were cited for noncompliance over suicide risk management, high-level disinfection of equipment, medication verification, and...
Since the original programs of the 1980s, crew resource management (CRM) training has evolved to include additional subject matter beyond a focus on interpersonal communication. Today, CRM core content typically includes topics such as leadership, team building, followership and conflict...
With the COVID-19 pandemic still fresh in people’s minds, the CDC released updated recommendations for respiratory virus protection on March 1. The guidance recommends vaccinations, hygiene, and good air quality to help prevent respiratory viruses. It also tells readers when a sick person can...
