GME and The Joint Commission Site Visit

By: Julie McCoy April 29th, 2009

While at the AHME conference two weeks ago, I sat in on a session that gave an update on The Joint Commission and GME.

Luckily for GME leaders, speaker Carolyn C. Snipe, MA director of GME at North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System, explained that there are no new standards regarding GME.

Whew!

Although there are no new requirements, GME is still an integral part of The Joint Commission site survey. The accrediting organization uses a tracer methodology, meaning that they select a patient and use his or her record to assess the organization. Essentially, the site visitors follow the care the patient received to determine whether hospitals are in compliance.

Just as your program prepares for an ACGME survey, hospitals prepare for Joint Commission site visits with planning meetings and mock surveys.

Snipe suggested that those involved in GME, residents, program directors, GME office staff, and anyone else interested participate in their hospital’s preparation. Attend planning meetings, take part in mock surveys, familarize yourself with the standards, and make sure all GME-related policies are consistent with any institutional policies and in compliance with The Joint Commission Standards.

Has your hospital had a Joint Commission survey recently or are you preparing for one? If so, tell us what you’re doing to get involved in the comment box below.

Comments(1) General Interest, Residency News

Comments

By Pamela Billick on April 30th, 2009 at 2:16 pm

At our last JCAHO preparation, the GME needed to submit to the Medical Staff Credentialing office & Medical Records the Graduated Levels of Responsibility as defined for each postgraduate year. This is to include the appropriate signoffs on orders, notes, H&P & the dischaarge summary and the level of supervision by year.