Barrins Bulletin

January 2024

Greetings to Our Colleagues in Behavioral Health!

Welcome and Happy New Year! As we enjoy the dawning of the new year, and the promise of the year to come, the behavioral healthcare landscape is brimming with new challenges, innovations, and opportunities. The past year has tested the resilience of our healthcare systems, and now, we are armed with invaluable experiences and lessons to propel us forward into a brighter and healthier future.
 
This year we will continue to delve into the latest developments, trends, and critical issues shaping the accreditation, regulatory and healthcare industry as we navigate the landscape of 2024. From cutting-edge behavioral health breakthroughs to policy changes, and from strategies for improving patient/client care to emerging technologies, there’s a wealth of information and insights awaiting you.
 
Whether you’re a behavioral health professional, a policymaker, or simply passionate about the world of behavioral healthcare, this newsletter is designed to keep you informed, engaged, and inspired. Join us on this journey as we explore the transformative healthcare landscape of 2024 and beyond, with a shared vision of enhancing the well-being of individuals and communities nationwide.
 
Starting this year, we are expanding our content to encompass insights and updates from additional behavioral health accreditors. We value your feedback on the newsletter. Please share your comments and tell us what you think. We would also like to hear about topics you’d like to see in future issues. 
 
We look forward to hearing from you! Feel free to forward this newsletter to your colleagues, their perspectives are equally important to us.
 
Best Regards,
 
Julia Finken, RN, BSN, MBA, CPHQ, CLSSMBB
Senior Vice President
 

TJC & SAMHSA: Navigating the Revised Requirements for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics

The Joint Commission launched its Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) accreditation program on July 1, 2023. Recently, the Joint Commission approved a set of new and revised CCBHC requirements specifically designed for organizations selecting the CCBHC service on their electronic application (E-App). These changes, effective from July 1, 2024, reflect the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) updates to the CCBHC requirements effective July 1, 2024.
 
In this article, we will explore the key updates and enhancements made to the CCBHC requirements by both SAMHSA and The Joint Commission. These changes not only…

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CCBHC requirements

TJC: Insights into ORYX 2024 for Freestanding Psychiatric Hospitals

In a significant development, The Joint Commission has implemented updates to the 2024 ORYX Performance Measures reporting requirements, effective as of January 1, 2024. These changes are applicable to critical access hospitals, acute care hospitals, and freestanding psychiatric hospitals accredited by The Joint Commission.
 
For all healthcare organizations (HCOs) with ORYX requirements, it is imperative to…

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2024 ORYX performance measures

TJC: New & Revised Workplace Violence Prevention Requirements

Starting July 1, 2024, The Joint Commission approved a set of fresh and updated workplace violence prevention criteria, applicable to all Behavioral Health Care and Human Services (BHC & HS) organizations accredited by the Joint Commission.
 
Three new and one revised workplace violence prevention requirements outlined in the December 20, 2023 Prepublication Requirements will apply to all BHC accredited organizations. These revamped criteria…

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workplace violence prevention

NEW CLIENTS

Barrins & Associates is pleased to welcome our new client Ohio Hospital for Psychiatry (OHP). OHP is a 130-bed, free-standing behavioral health hospital serving adults and seniors who grapple with a wide array of mental health conditions. The hospital offers inpatient, IOP and community supportive treatment. At Ohio Hospital for Psychiatry, patients can not only receive treatment that will help them overcome their mental health challenges, but they can also receive support they need to continue to move forward with building happy, healthy lives for themselves.

Our Clients >

Barrins & Associates provides Joint Commission and CMS consulting services for the Behavioral Healthcare industry. Our clients include psychiatric hospitals and freestanding Behavioral Healthcare organizations and we specialize in providing Survey Preparation and Continuous Survey Readiness services for the Behavioral Healthcare industry.

Barrins & Associates was founded by Anne Barrins, a Joint Commission surveyor for 13 years and is succeeded by Julia Finken with a 17 year tenure from The Joint Commission as a surveyor, the Associate Director of Business Development for the Home Care Program, and Executive Director of Business Development for the Behavioral Health Care and Psychiatric Hospital Programs.

Are You Compliant with the Most Often Cited High-Risk Standards?

Our Mock Survey is your best preparation for all standards considered at risk. Contact us today to become fully prepared for your next accreditation survey.

888-742-4621 x 702

TIP OF THE MONTH

Visit the What’s New tab in your Joint Commission Edition. All Joint Commission standard updates effective January 1, 2024 are listed here. Review your policies, procedures, documentation and processes to ensure they are compliant with any new or updated standards and elements of performance. Don’t forget to note the date of these updates on your policies and procedures.

Why Choose Us

“Your consultants’ vast knowledge base and BH expertise provides reassurance to our team that we are survey ready and committed to continuous quality improvement. The only way the consultants could improve is to clone yourselves. The check-ins, reassessments, and mock surveys are invaluable to our staff. I learn every time we spend time together. Thank you for your commitment to continuous quality improvement.”

Monica Shaffer
System CNO
Ohio Dept. of Mental Health and Addition Services

Read More Testimonials >

Congratulations Corner

Congratulations to our clients, Whiting Forensic Hospital for their initial psychiatric hospital TJC accreditation and Medical Behavioral Hospital of Clear Lake for TJC reaccreditation!
 
Bravo!