Recognizing that the healthcare sector produces a vast amount of waste and hazards to the environment, more healthcare facilities are doing their part in sustainability and greening efforts.
There are always times to come back to center-to return to why we work so hard to improve processes, performance, and measures like overall hospital ratings. In the sea of scores, metrics, and meetings we often drown in, we forget to come up for air and see that relationship...
Briefings on Accreditation & Quality - Volume 23, Issue 5
As Hurricane Irene came sweeping up the East Coast last summer, it was hard to imagine how widespread the storm's effects would be, particularly on states not usually heavily impacted by hurricanes. To be safe, precautions were made, but expectation for damage were low.
"The Friday...
Briefings on Accreditation & Quality - Volume 23, Issue 5
Two U.S. senators have called for the Department of Health and Human Services to convene a task force to develop strategies to reduce unnecessary hospitalization related to adverse drug events.
CMS recently amended tag number 508 in the hospital Conditions of Participation (CoP), which...
Briefings on Accreditation & Quality - Volume 23, Issue 5
Why is review of "other contraindications" important and what are some examples? Who is required to check for them? What tools can make identifying them easier, increasing the likelihood of both patients' safe use of medications and compliance with applicable elements of performance (...
Briefings on Accreditation & Quality - Volume 23, Issue 5
As Hurricane Irene came sweeping up the East Coast last summer, it was hard to imagine how widespread the storm's effects would be, particularly on states not usually heavily impacted by hurricanes. To be safe, precautions were made, but expectation for damage were low....
In honor of the National Patient Safety Foundation's Patient Safety Awareness Week, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, CT, hosted a public panel to discuss patient safety with the community, offering a chance for attendees to get perspectives from all sides...
Briefings on Accreditation & Quality - Volume 23, Issue 5
In November 2011, The Joint Commission issued a revised version of standard IC.02.04.01, regarding the influenza vaccine for licensed independent practitioners (LIP) and staff. This standard applied to all accreditation programs.
True or False: A verbal order entered into the patient record should be both dated and timed (if your hospital is using the Joint Commission for deemed status purpose).