TJC & CMS News Blog Information
for Hospitals and Behavioral Healthcare
To read articles written prior to January 2015, please view our Newsletter Archive.
Sentinel Events in Behavioral Health and Psychiatric Hospitals Settings — and How Accreditation and Regulatory Standards Help Prevent Them
In psychiatric hospitals and community behavioral health organizations, the stakes for patient safety are uniquely high. Patients/Clients often present with acute psychological distress, suicidal ideation, or co-occurring medical conditions — all within environments...
The Backbone of Medical Staff Governance: What You Need to Know About Joint Commission Standards for Medical Staff Bylaws
When it comes to governing a psychiatric hospital's medical staff, structure, clarity, and accountability are not just important—they’re required. The Joint Commission (TJC) Standard MS.01.01.01 outlines critical expectations for Medical Staff Bylaws, ensuring that...
Creating Safe Spaces: How to Conduct an Environmental Risk Assessment for Outpatient Behavioral Health Settings
Increasingly, care delivery occurs in outpatient environments—Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs), Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs), and office-based therapy settings—where clients may be acutely ill, at elevated risk of harm to self or others, and navigating...
Beyond the Wait: Compassionate and Compliant ED Boarding of Psychiatric Patients
Emergency departments are often the first—and sometimes only—point of access for individuals in psychiatric crises. But when inpatient psychiatric beds, crisis services, or outpatient programs are unavailable, patients may wait in the emergency department (ED) for...
Do this before approving your building plans to prevent this common budget overage
Building a new healthcare facility or remodeling an existing one—especially in specialized areas like psychiatric hospitals and community behavioral health organizations—is an exciting yet complex endeavor. One of the most frequently overlooked aspects is...
You Just Acquired Another Organization – The Role of Compliance Services
Acquiring another organization is a significant milestone, bringing opportunities for growth, expansion, and enhanced service delivery. But, it also introduces complex challenges, particularly in compliance and regulatory oversight. Ensuring a seamless transition...
The Importance of Evidence-Based Practice in Behavioral Healthcare
In the ever-evolving field of behavioral healthcare, ensuring effective treatment and positive outcomes for patients is paramount. One of the most reliable ways to achieve this is through evidence-based practice (EBP). EBP is a method hat integrates the best available...
Transforming Care Delivery: The Path to High Reliability in Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the demand for safe, effective, and reliable care has never been higher—especially in the realm of behavioral health and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Achieving consistently high levels of safety and...
The Crucial Role of Accreditation and Regulatory Support After a CEO Transition
A CEO transition is a pivotal moment for any psychiatric hospital, behavioral health, or human services organization. In healthcare, this leadership change can ripple through all facets of the institution, including the critical areas of accreditation and regulatory...
The Hidden Value of Compliance Services: Why Investing in Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance is Essential for Behavioral Health Organizations
For over 25 years, Barrins & Associates has partnered with psychiatric hospitals and behavioral health and human services providers, guiding them through the complex terrain of accreditation and compliance. With expertise spanning more than 350 organizations...