To find an inexpensive treatment to this problem, a research team conducted a study of different types of medication on 12,000 patients in 21 countries. The studies, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, looked at the use of statins, a type of cholesterol lowering drug, and...
How do you tell a good hospital from a bad one? The answer used to hinge on who you asked, with every health insurer, government organization, and accreditation agency providing their own unique method of measuring and reporting quality. The result has been a mishmash of...
Briefings on Accreditation & Quality - Volume 27, Issue 4
CMS surveys have become a regular occurrence for many hospitals in the U.S. Over the past five years, CMS has reported more than 18,000 deficiencies, and many hospitals are seeing multiple surveys each year. It is crucial that facilities take a proactive approach to achieving...
The practice of concurrent surgeries has become a top concern for hospitals across the country following a Boston Globe investigation into the practices of a reputable Massachusetts hospital.
Briefings on Accreditation & Quality - Volume 27, Issue 4
How do you help patients who want to harm themselves?
The Joint Commission addressed this question in February with Sentinel Event Alert 56, which focuses on finding the root causes of patient suicides and how to prevent them. Between 2010 and 2014, The Joint...
Briefings on Accreditation & Quality - Volume 27, Issue 4
CMS has released its 2015 Report to Congress, which takes a look at the review, validation, and oversight of the activities of approved accreditation organizations (AO), both Medicare accreditation programs and CLIA accreditation programs.
For nearly two decades, communication failures have been frequently attributed to harmful events in healthcare. Judging by a new report looking at malpractice claims, those problems aren't getting any better.
Briefings on Accreditation & Quality - Volume 27, Issue 4
The Joint Commission has proposed a National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG) that highlights pediatric Computed Tomography (CT) imaging. Children are generally more susceptible to the effects of radiation than adults, and The Joint Commission hopes to establish evidence-based...
