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TJC and CMS News for Behavioral Healthcare

November/December 2023

Greetings to Our Colleagues in Behavioral Health!

The holiday season holds a special place in the hearts of many, a time that ushers in a deep sense of joy, unity, and celebration. While unique holidays and traditions abound across cultures, the fundamental essence of this season rises above these distinctions, acting as a universal source of love, goodwill, and warmth that binds us together.
 
As the year draws to a close, I find myself in a reflective state, filled with gratitude for the privilege of working alongside countless passionate and dedicated behavioral health professionals, as well as the individuals they tirelessly serve. Together, we gather at the collective table, driven by a common purpose: to enhance the quality and safety of services provided to those facing mental health, substance abuse, and human services challenges.
 
My journey has been enriched by the honor of collaborating with the exceptional professionals at Barrins & Associates, Patton Healthcare Consulting, and Healthcare Building Solutions. Their unwavering support and mentorship have been instrumental in my growth as a healthcare professional. Whether in the field, working alongside a dynamic team of consultants, providing remote support to our valued clients, or contributing to the operational excellence of these three remarkable companies, I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to positively impact the healthcare landscape, even in the smallest of ways.
 
As the holiday season unfolds, I extend my heartfelt wishes to all our readers for a joyous and harmonious time of celebration. I eagerly anticipate the challenges and triumphs that await the Behavioral Health industry in the upcoming year, as well as the fervor to make at least one meaningful contribution to the field of behavioral health. Together, let us embrace the spirit of the season and look forward to the positive changes we can create in the year ahead.
 
We value your feedback on the newsletter. Please send us your comments and tell us what topics you’d like to see in future issues. We look forward to hearing from you! Also, feel free to forward this newsletter to your colleagues.
 
Best Regards,
 
Julia Finken, RN, BSN, MBA, CPHQ, CLSSMBB
Senior Vice President
 

Updates to TJC’s Definition of Sentinel Events Involving Suicide

​Joint Commission has made significant changes to their definition of a sentinel event related to suicide. These changes, set to take effect on January 1, 2024, have surprised organizations because TJC typically provides a generous six-month notice for alterations to requirements, as per the accreditation contract between your organization and TJC. However, this time, it seems TJC has deemed this change a patient safety imperative, necessitating a more expedited timeline…

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suicide sentinel event

CMS Updates Validation Survey Process: What You Need to Know

The US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently announced significant changes to its validation survey process for accrediting organizations (AOs)…

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validation survey process

Joint Commission Accreditation: New Eligibility Requirements for Opioid Treatment Programs

Are you aware that The Joint Commission has recently revised its accreditation eligibility criteria for opioid treatment programs (OTPs)? This update holds significant importance for both Hospitals  and Behavioral Health Care organizations with OTP programs…

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accreditation eligibility criteria for opioid treatment programs

NEW CLIENTS

Welcome to Insight Medical Group, PA, DBA Array Behavioral Care!
 
Array Behavioral Care is the leading and largest telepsychiatry service provider in the country with a mission to transform access to quality, timely behavioral health care. Array offers telepsychiatry solutions and services across the continuum of care from hospital to home with its OnDemand Care, Scheduled Care and At Home Care divisions.
 
For more than 20 years, Array has partnered with hundreds of hospitals and health systems, community healthcare organizations and payers of all sizes to expand access to care and improve outcomes for underserved individuals, facilities, and communities. As an industry pioneer and established thought leader, Array has helped shape the field, define the standard of care and advocate for improved telepsychiatry-friendly regulations.

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.

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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.

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TIP OF THE MONTH

In October, The Joint Commission released an enhanced version of their customer Survey Activity Guide. This comprehensive guide provides an overview of the latest updates, including improvements to the kitchen tracer tool and references to their recently introduced 3-year privileging cycle for practitioners with privileges. Don’t hesitate to leverage this invaluable tool, readily available in the Survey Process tab on your Extranet site, as you prepare for your upcoming survey.

Why Choose Us

“I would like to Thank the Barrins’ consulting team for their professionalism, knowledge and support during this process!!”

Christopher J Morrison
CEO

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