They’re baaaack: TJC returns to the fray!
By Steve MacArthur, Hospital Safety Consultant
Last week, our friends in Chicago announced that they will be resuming the survey grind in June (in all candor, I too will be heading out on the highways and byways of the consulting world, though I can’t help but think how “neatly” June sets up, June 1 being a Monday and all—I know nature likes symmetry, etc., but this seems almost too convenient. But I digress).
While it is not yet completely clear how things will be different, it does sound like there will be a fair amount of analysis and communications with facilities being surveyed to ensure that the survey process goes as smoothly as possible from an operational perspective. To that end, if you happen to be at a facility “in the queue” for survey, the account executive coordinating the process will be reaching out to your organization to determine the impact the pandemic has had on your operations and what things look like in their “current state.”
It is also clear that social distancing will be in full force for the next little while (again, I’ll have a chance to weigh on some of those particulars as I recommence client visits), including limiting the number of individuals “present” in group sessions (audio and/or video conferencing will take on much wider application—I know some of your EOC/EM committees have a lot of moving parts); minimizing participants in tracer activities; appropriate use of PPE (as provided for each organization’s requirements—TJC expects you to provide whatever is appropriate); driving in separate cars for off-site location and/or home visits, etc.
The announcement also indicated that the focus of the process will be a thorough assessment, but not a retroactive review of compliance (I am curious as to how that will manifest itself, particularly in terms of inspection, testing and maintenance activities, and other elements of compliance in place prior to the onset of the pandemic). The announcement also indicates that implementation of your emergency operations plan will not be the focus of the survey so much as the development of an understanding of how your organization has adapted to the pandemic and look at current practices to evaluate the extent to which safe care, and a safe working environment are being provided.
About the Author: Steve MacArthur is a safety consultant with The Greeley Company in Danvers, Mass. He brings more than 30 years of healthcare management and consulting experience to his work with hospitals, physician offices, and ambulatory care facilities across the country. He is also a contributing editor for Healthcare Safety Leader. Contact Steve at stevemacsafetyspace@gmail.com.