Archive for December, 2008
New Sentinel Event posted
Hello, everyone. The Joint Commission has released its latest Sentinel Event Alert, this time on errors related to the use of technology in the healthcare setting.
The Alert states that there is very little data documenting the frequency with which technology-related errors occur, but notes that computers and automated medication dispensing devices are frequently involved when an error occurs. The Alert also advocates using Joint Commission Information Management standards to improve the use of technology in the healthcare environment.
The Joint Commission suggests 13 steps to prevent healthcare technology errors, including training for new users and refresher courses for those who continue to use technology in the hospital, and clearly defining who is authorized and responsible for the technology. Their complete press release and additional information can be found here.
Agenda for AHAP conference posted
Hello AHAP blog readers,
The Agenda for the 2009 AHAP annual conference has been posted (click here to see the full agenda). I thought you might like to know about a few highlights:
As listed below, we’ll be having an accreditation panel with speakers from the Joint Commission, HFAP, and DNV.
Additionally, both days of the conference will start out with a general session (after the keynote speaker on the first day). Day one’s session will be lead by Ken Rohde, a Senior Consultant for The Greeley Company. He’ll talk about the 2009 Joint Commission leadership standards and how your facility’s leaders can emphasize creating a culture of safety.
The second day’s general session will be lead by Kurt Patton, principal at Patton Healthcare Consulting. He’ll be discussing The Joint Commission’s scoring changes for 2009.
Hope to see you at the conference!
CMS proposes changes to wrong site, wrong patient, wrong surgery rules
Hello, everyone. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued several proposed decision memos yesterday indicating they will not pay for wrong site/patient/surgery cases. The proposed decision memos can be found on the CMS Web site at the following links:
Surgery on the Wrong Body Part
Exclusive panel discussion on the options for healthcare accreditation
Our 2009 conference will include a special session featuring executives from The Joint Commission, DNV Healthcare Inc., and the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program.
Speakers will include Ann Scott Blouin, PhD, RN, Executive Vice President in the Division of Accreditation and Certification Operations at The Joint Commission, Patrick Horine, Executive Vice President of Accreditation Services at DNV Healthcare Inc., Rebecca Wise, Chief Operating Officer at DNV Healthcare Inc., and George A. Reuther, Chief Operation Officer at the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program.
Each organization will have 15 minutes to present, followed by 45 minutes of Q&A. Join us for what will undoubtedly be an interesting discussion on how all three organizations are changing accreditation in healthcare.
