TJC and CMS News for Behavioral Healthcare

Greetings to our Colleagues in Behavioral Health!

Hopefully, Spring is in the air in your part of the country with the promise of warmer weather, sunny days, and blossoms everywhere.

Last month, we bid a heartfelt farewell to our Founder and CEO, Anne Barrins.  We wish Anne all the best in this next chapter of her life and all of the adventures ahead of her. She spent the last 23 years building the exemplary Barrins & Associates behavioral health care consulting company. Over the years, Anne  developed a team of talented and committed behavioral health care professionals who continue to serve you. It’s an honor and a privilege to have been selected to oversee Barrins & Associates.  Be assured, I’m dedicated to continuing to deliver accreditation and regulatory compliance consulting services that exceed your expectations.

If there is anything I can do for you please contact me:

• Email: Julia.Finken@hbsinc.com
• Business phone: 888-742-4621 ext. 702
• Cell phone: 951-897-7005

This month, our first article covers maintaining compliance with TJC’s Medication Management requirements while incorporating patient preference.  Important info for both Hospitals and Behavioral Health Care organizations.

Our second article addresses the management of mental health conditions for perinatal and postpartum women.  Mental Health conditions are the leading cause of pregnancy related deaths.  Perinatal and postpartum women can be found in every behavioral health setting, so this is a must read for all behavioral health professionals.

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.

You may also read past issues of our Newsletter by visiting our website and please feel free to forward this issue to your colleagues.

Enjoy the longer days of spring!

Julia Finken
Senior Vice President

Joint Commission Standard:
Medication Administration and Patient Preference

Be aware! The Joint Commission standard on medication administration  (MM.06.01.01 EP 3) is one surveyors frequently cite for both Hospitals  and  Behavioral Health Care organizations.

Typical reason is because medications are not administered consistent with orders. However, there are situations where variation from medication administration can be acceptable based on patient preferences………

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Joint Commission Focus:
Mental Health Conditions are the Leading Cause of Pregnancy Related Deaths

There’s a Joint Commission focus on mental health conditions and pregnancy. TJC recently published Quick Safety Issue 67: Mental Health Conditions Leading Cause of Pregnancy-Related Deaths.

The TJC article covers the recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) evaluating causes for maternal death. The CDC report identified CDC: Pregnancy Related Deaths issues related to mental health, such as depression, anxiety, death by suicide, and substance use disorders  as the most frequent underlying cause for maternal death.  

Continue reading >

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.