Barrins Bulletin
May 2025
Welcome to the April edition of our Behavioral Health and Psychiatric Hospitals Newsletter
Dear Readers,
As we step into the month of May, recognized nationally as Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s a fitting time to spotlight the evolving landscape of behavioral health—both in how we care for those we serve and how we support those delivering that care. This season of renewed energy and reflection offers an opportunity to examine how we can improve safety, sustainability, and workforce resilience across psychiatric hospitals and community behavioral health organizations.
In this issue, we explore timely topics shaping the field. We hope these insights support your continued efforts to deliver safe, sustainable, and high-quality care—and inspire forward-thinking approaches in this season of growth and renewal.
The Barrins Bulletin is designed to support behavioral health organizations through offering clear, straightforward regulatory and accreditation updates, along with practical compliance tips to help navigate these challenges smoothly. We hope this edition eases both your mind and your workload—so keep reading for insights that can lighten the load and even bring a little fun to your compliance journey.
As always, we appreciate your input on the newsletter. Please take a moment to share your comments and let us know your thoughts. Additionally, we welcome suggestions for topics you would like to see covered in future issues. We eagerly anticipate hearing from you! Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to your colleagues; their insights are invaluable to us as well.
Best Regards,
Julia Finken
RN, BSN, MBA, CPHQ, CLSSMBB
Senior Vice President
Staying Ahead of the Curve: Leveraging the Latest Trends in TJC Surveys for Your Compliance Success
With rising operational costs driven by inflation, labor shortages, and global volatile tariffs on healthcare supplies and equipment, psychiatric hospitals and community behavioral health providers are under increasing pressure to control spending without compromising…
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…
Amid persistent workforce shortages and changing demographics in behavioral healthcare, psychiatric hospitals and community-based behavioral health, organizations are reimagining recruitment and retention strategies — targeting and attracting Gen Z talent. Generation…
TJC
Opioid Treatment Programs: The April Perspectives announced a revised OTP chapter, in the behavioral health accreditation program, that becomes effective July 1, 2025. The chapter is modified based on a new SAMHSA posting in the Federal Register announcing changes in the regulations on Feb 2, 2024. The new OTP chapter is available now on the Joint Commission’s prepublications page of their website.
When the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) adopted the 2012 edition of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Life Safety Code® (NFPA 101) on July 5, 2016, it established a requirement that all existing high-rise health care occupancies—including hospitals, critical access hospitals, inpatient hospice facilities, and nursing care centers—must be fully sprinklered no later than July 5, 2028, as outlined in the final rule.
We were founded by Anne Barrins, former Joint Commission surveyor, and are succeeded by Julia Finken, former Joint Commission 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.
In this Issue
- Cost Saving Strategies for Psychiatric Hospitals and Behavioral Health Care Providers
- Sentinel Events in Behavioral Health and Psychiatric Hospital Settings
- Gen Z In Behavioral Healthcare: Recruitment and Retention Strategies
- Accreditor Insights & Updates: TJC
- Tip of the Month: High-Rise Healthcare Facilities Fully Sprinklered Deadline
Hear What Our Clients Say
“Thank you for providing our mock survey reports so quickly. The expertise and knowledge of the mock survey team will definitely help improve many processes within our organization, which will lead to quality care provided to our patients and the community we serve.”
Natalie German, MPH
Director, Regulatory Affair
New York Health + Hospitals / Woodhull
Are You Survey Ready?
At Barrins & Associates we can assist you to achieve and sustain accreditation and regulatory compliance in adherence to the TJC, DNV, CHIQ, ACHC, CARF, COA, 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.