All Entries Tagged With: "standards"

AMA unveils model code of conduct

The American Medical Association (AMA) has unveiled a new model code of conduct in response to The Joint Commission’s new Leadership Standard (LD.03.01.01), Elements of Performance 4 and 5, effective January 1, which state that hospitals must have a code of conduct that addresses acceptable and unacceptable behavior, and how they handle the latter. 

A sample code developed by the AMA can be accessed here. The AMA also suggests codes of conduct be incorporated into facility bylaws, and cover members of the board, management, and all employees.

Todd Morrison
Managing Editor

Breaking News: Joint Commission adjusts medical staff standards to comply with CMS regulations

The Joint Commission announced Monday that, as part of its application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a number of changes will be made to the accreditation process.

Many of the changes have resulted in added specificity to existing standards. For example, MS.02.01.01 element of performance (EP) 4 now states that “The majority of voting medical staff executive committee members are fully licensed doctors of medicine or osteopathy actively practicing in the hospital.” Previously, it stated that members of the MEC were fully license physicians.

Other changes have required the creation of entirely new standards and/or EPs. For example, three EPs have been added to MS.03.01.01, which addresses privileging, and two EPs have been added to MS.01.01.01, which addresses the medical staff bylaws and governing board.

All changes go into effect immediately. These requirements will not be scored, however, until July 2009. The Joint Commission has a policy that it will, when possible, give its accredited organizations six months notice for new requirements.

Click here to read The Joint Commission’s official announcement. The new requirements can be downloaded here (http://www.jointcommission.org/NR/rdonlyres/6F82A3A7-22A6-43C4-AF65-8EAC2670541A/0/Communications_HospitalnewandRevised_20081223.pdf).