PPR CHANGES COMING!

Complete revision of the PPR appears to be a reality. What we heard from Executive Briefings was that the torturous process of filling out the PPR will be eliminated as a requirement; however the tool will remain available for those organizations that wish to use it for self assessment purposes. There will be no more option 1-4; however some of the nuances of the options will be available. There was some contradiction in the information provided regarding this, and we’ll just have to wait and see what shakes out. A question was raised about retaining the current PPR option that allows identification of an issue with an action plan for correction, providing immunity if the issue is discovered during survey, however, there was no clarification from the podium.

The proposed new process will be mandatory for each organization (which would seem the current option 1 with no call would be eliminated.) This new process consists of “touch points”. At specified time periods (currently proposed are 6 months, and 18 months) the organization will have an option of an onsite visit from TJC or a telephone call with TJC (with the organization’s representative and a member of SIG.) The purpose?

• At the six month time period after the final survey report was posted, the contact would be to assure the ESC/POC was working and that survey issues were resolved, that there was customer value, and that the customer value assessment (something new that we’ll get to shortly) checked, survey feedback obtained, an update of the electronic application and a selection of the 18 month option (onsite visit or call.)
• During the 6 to 18 month period (the time between the two calls or onsite visits) the organization must complete what the organization feels is important for that organization in the PPR (this is in writing in the printed materials distributed.) During this time period the organization is to assess structure standards (documentation/policies), previous problem areas (PPR pre-populated – what the organization feels is important) and organization risk points (PFA/S3 data)
• At the 18 month time period an onsite visit or call with the organization representative and a member of SIG is held where top issues of organizational concern, issues from “like” organizations, top issues from the organization’s outcome data (S3, sentinel events, etc.), implementation ideas and leading practices that TJC has gleaned from other organizations and wishes to share, the electronic application update and customer value assessment (CVA) are discussed.
• There is no charge for this process. The “touch point” PPR process is mandatory and will replace the traditional PPR process.
• The “touch point” PPR process is framed under “shared responsibility for continuously meeting quality standards”, and currently, is in draft stages. There is an understanding that some, if not many, of these issues have change slightly.

Special Note: Pat Adamski from TJC (who is consistently informed, realistic and takes a very common sense approach to the standards (probably because she is a nurse  ) stated that late submission of a PPR in the current environment (before the “touch point” revision implementation) will not result in provisional accreditation status. Pat stated TJC will “work with the organization” if they are running behind, however the organization should alert the representative about the delay, and communication is a must.

Those are the proposed changes folks. What the take away was, is that TJC is trying to get more real value from the PPR process. We’re glad they are trying and this points to their new “customer centered” focus. How well this process will work will unfold as the months progress.