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Tips from BESD: Every day is a Joint Commission day

Staff Development Weekly: Insight on Evidence-Based Practice in Education, March 5, 2010

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by Donna Chase, RN, MS

Each year across the United States, numerous healthcare organizations begin a full court press designed to prepare their organization for The Joint Commission's three-year unannounced survey process. On January 1 of their survey year, organizations begin a 12-month roller-coaster ride that ends with the arrival of the survey team.

My facility is no different, and we found ourselves conducting the same exercise. Prior to 2003, we would begin the preparation process approximately six to 12 months before the anticipated survey date. The process required the entire organization to turn its attention away from numerous other priorities to focus large amounts of financial and human resources on survey prep and staff education. At the conclusion of the survey, we shifted our attention back to our other priorities, and six to 12 months prior to the next three-year phase, we began the cycle again.

The cycle of insanity ended in 2003, when I facilitated a change in the process. With the blessing of my CEO, I organized a Joint Commission Core Team, and we began to change our culture from just-in-time readiness to living the standards each and every day.

Editor's note: This excerpt was adapted from the March 2010 issue of Briefings on Evidence-Based Staff Development. Discover all the benefits of subscribing to Briefings on Evidence-Based Staff Development!

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