Accreditation Newsletters

Ambulatory Quality and Compliance Insider Briefings on The Joint Commission

Briefings on The Joint Commission will help you with all of your accreditation and survey preparation needs. Every month, BOJ takes a look at problematic standards, identifies best practices, and clarifies the latest updates and changes from The Joint Commission, CMS, and other regulatory and accreditation organizations. BOJ also offers bonus content, tools, sample policies, and more online.

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Briefings on The Joint Commission

Issue 6, June 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Changing the system

  The Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) is often called "the quiet...

• FPPE in the community hospital: Culture and quality

  Ever since it was first introduced to The Joint ­Commission's Medical Staff standards in 2007, the...

• Strategies for increasing physician engagement

  In the quest to meet Joint Commission standards, it is very helpful to have a highly engaged...

Issue 5, May 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Rainwater pours in changes

  As Hurricane Irene came sweeping up the East Coast last summer, it was hard to imagine how...

• Discuss how these changes will impact organizations ­accredited under multiple Joint Commission programs

  In November 2011, The Joint Commission issued a revised version of standard IC.02.04.01, regarding...

• Avoiding use of contraindicated medications

  Why is review of "other contraindications" important and what are some examples? Who is...

• Emergency hospitalization update

  Two U.S. senators have called for the Department of Health and Human Services to convene a task...

Issue 4, April 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Revised Leadership ­standard LD.03.01.01

  In 2009, The Joint Commission added Leadership standard LD.03.01.01, ”Leaders create and...

• ISMP medication administration guidelines

  Recently in this space, we talked about CMS’ ­changing stance on the so-called...

• Tracers 2011: How are you using tracers?

  During summer 2011, AHAP ­surveyed hospitals coast to coast to gauge how tracer methodology has...

• Errors and error prevention: A look at recent developments

  Fatigue has recently been recognized in the medical literature to increase the incidence of adverse...

• Social media: Patient friend and foe

  By now, the Health Insurance Portability and ­Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is well known...

Issue 3, March 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Survey success highlights medical records, ­medication management

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Discuss the role of tracers in recent Joint...

• Second generation tracers: Focusing the scope

  Ever since The Joint Commission announced its focus on second generation tracers in fall 2011...

• Avoiding overuse of tests to prevent harm, eliminate waste, and reduce costs

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Define the rationale behind proposed...

• Analyzing adverse events: OIG finds hospital incident reporting systems come up short

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Identify the documentation and research by...

Issue 2, February 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Organization's CLABSI reduction process garners regional recognition

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Identify the three silos NUMC used when...

• OIG issues report critical of CMS handling of serious adverse events

  On November 1, 2011, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report that examined CMS...

• CMS 30-minute rule: How does this affect your facility?

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Identify CMS' new stance on the so-called...

• Radiation risks of diagnostic imaging

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Discuss how many deaths are believed to be...

Issue 1, January 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Radiation safety: It's ­complicated

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Understand the reason for Sentinel Event...

• Northwestern targets irregular airways to improve patient safety

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Discuss how new technology creates new...

• CMS roundup: Late 2011 notifications and changes to impact 2012

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Identify areas of infection control...