Barrins Bulletin
June 2026
Greetings to Our Colleagues in Behavioral Health!
Dear Readers,
For many healthcare organizations, summer is anything but a slow season. June often marks the midpoint of strategic initiatives, construction projects, readiness activities, and performance improvement efforts that must stay on track to meet year-end goals. It is also a time when leaders begin evaluating priorities for the second half of the year, balancing operational demands with opportunities for innovation and growth.
This month, we focus on several developments that are shaping the healthcare landscape. We are pleased to share two new blogs addressing healthcare facility planning, construction, and occupancy readiness—highlighting why accreditation and regulatory compliance considerations should be integrated from the earliest stages of planning through opening day and beyond. As healthcare organizations continue to invest in new facilities and major renovations, proactive compliance planning can help reduce risk, avoid costly delays, and support successful licensure, certification, and accreditation outcomes.
We also examine an important new CMS rule that limits the ability of an accreditor, accreditor-owned or accreditor associated or related consulting company established by or connected to the accreditor consulting organizations to provide fee-based survey preparation services for organizations seeking initial accreditation or within the 12 months preceding a triennial accreditation survey. This extends to any CMS certification/deeming -related consulting activities when they are tied to an accrediting organization’s deeming authority. This change underscores the value of independent consulting expertise and objective readiness assessments as organizations prepare for accreditation and regulatory reviews.
As always, our goal is to provide practical insights, emerging regulatory updates, and proven strategies to help your organization remain survey-ready, operationally strong, and focused on delivering exceptional care.
Thank you for your continued partnership and trust.
Best Regards,
Julia Finken
RN, BSN, MHA, CPHQ, CLSSMBB
Executive Vice President
Barrins & Associates delivers unrivaled accreditation and regulatory expertise with the independence healthcare organizations can trust.
The behavioral healthcare landscape continues to evolve as organizations navigate changing regulatory expectations, workforce challenges, and increasing demands for quality and safety. At Barrins & Associates, we remain committed to providing experienced, practical guidance that helps organizations deliver exceptional care while preparing for what lies ahead.
This month, we highlight our blog below discussing CMS’s Accrediting Organization Final Rule and its potential impact on independent healthcare consulting. While the rule is directed toward accrediting organizations, it reinforces the importance of objective, experienced guidance as providers continue to strengthen quality, compliance, and survey readiness.
As our clients’ needs continue to grow, so does our team. We are pleased to welcome Mary Kay Bowie, RN, BSN, MHSA, CPHQ, Client Engagement Leader, and Cynthia Battista, MS, Director of Contracts and Client Engagement, whose experience and leadership further strengthen the support we provide to behavioral health organizations.
Their addition builds upon the continued growth of our Principal Consultant team, including Laurie Farmer, MSN, RN; John Berry, RN, MSN, SQIL; Kathy Eichner, RN, MSN, CPHQ, CJCP; and Dr. Linda M. Shepherd, DNP, MBA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, who have joined us over the past several months.
Together, our expanding team continues to provide the practical guidance, regulatory expertise, and operational insight behavioral health organizations rely on to improve quality, strengthen readiness, and support the individuals and communities they serve.
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The most expensive compliance problem in healthcare construction is the one discovered after the building is complete. Every healthcare construction project progresses through three critical design phases: Schematic Design (SD), Design Development (DD), and.…
Behavioral healthcare organizations invest millions of dollars in new construction, replacement facilities, expansions, and major renovations. Yet one of the most common mistakes organizations make is treating accreditation and regulatory compliance as a final hurdle…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently finalized new requirements that significantly change how Accrediting Organizations (AOs) and their affiliated consulting entities interact with healthcare providers and suppliers seeking accreditation……
Joint Commission (JC)
On June 1, 2026, The Joint Commission launched its new Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care (RUAIH) Certification Program, designed to help healthcare organizations safely implement and govern AI technologies. The certification addresses AI governance, risk management, patient safety, data integrity, and organizational oversight as AI continues to expand throughout healthcare operations and clinical care. This marks one of the first formal accreditation-related programs focused specifically on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in healthcare.
CIHQ
CIHQ has announced its 2026 Accreditation & Regulatory Summit, taking place October 6–8, 2026, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The event will focus on accreditation, CMS regulations, survey readiness, and emerging healthcare compliance topics.
CARF
CARF recently announced the first artificial intelligence (AI) standard in health and human services accreditation. Effective July 1, 2026, organizations utilizing AI in service delivery will be expected to have written policies and procedures governing its use. CARF also released its 2026 standards updates, which become effective July 1, 2026.
COA
COA recently released its 2026 Accreditation Standards Updates, including enhancements based on stakeholder feedback, emerging practices, and evolving industry trends. Notably, the 2026 updates include standards addressing the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence.
DNV
DNV is preparing for its 2026 Healthcare Symposium, scheduled for October 26–29, 2026, and continues to promote education through Healthcare University programs focused on accreditation, quality management systems, ISO 9001, and regulatory compliance.
CD Document Review: Designing for Accreditation and Regulatory Success
The Construction Documents (CD) phase is one of the final opportunities to identify and correct accreditation, regulatory, life safety, infection prevention, and operational issues before they become costly construction changes or post-occupancy survey findings. A comprehensive CD review helps ensure the facility is designed to support compliant workflows, safe patient care, and successful licensure, accreditation, and CMS certification outcomes from day one.
Barrins & Associates provides regulatory and accreditation consulting services for the Behavioral Healthcare industry, including psychiatric hospitals and freestanding BH organizations. We specialize in providing survey preparation and continuous survey readiness services to help you provide safe and compliant care.
Founded in 1999 by Anne Barrins, former Joint Commission (JC) surveyor and succeeded by Julia Finken, former JC surveyor, 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 and Yvonne Rockwood, former Regional Associate Director for the Eastern Business Development Division at the JC for Community Behavioral Health Care Services.
In this Issue
- The Most Expensive Compliance Mistakes are Made Before Construction Begins
- How Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance Impact Behavioral Healthcare Construction Projects
- CMS Strengthens Oversight of Accrediting Organizations: What It Means for Your Accreditation Strategy
- Accreditor Insights & Updates: JC, DNV, CIHQ, ACHC, CARF, COA, QUAD-A
- Tip of the Month: CD Document Review: Designing for Accreditation and Regulatory Success
Congratulations Corner
We applaud our clients who have recently and successfully completed their accreditation or regulatory survey. The achievement of such indicates an aptitude for quality and safety of care. Congratulations to your organization and staff!
New Horizons CMHC
Why Choose Us?
“Looking through our survey report today and feeling so very blessed that you have been part of our journey these last five years! I hope you know that you leave a legacy of quality and excellence.”
Anonymous
Welcome New Clients
Barrins & Associates welcomes the following new clients:
- Emory Decatur Hospital
Are You Survey Ready?
We can assist you to achieve and sustain accreditation and regulatory compliance in adherence to the JC, DNV, CHIQ, ACHC, CARF, COA, QUAD-A, and CMS, standards for psychiatric hospitals and community behavioral health and human services providers. Inquire today about our consulting services. We continue to support your journey toward accreditation and regulatory compliance.
Inquire today about our consulting services.
We continue to support your journey toward accreditation and regulatory compliance.
888-742-4621 x 702
