TJC & CMS News Blog
Information for BH Organizations
To read articles written prior to January 2015, please view our Newsletter Archive.
Changes to Behavioral Health Human Resources Chapter
At the TJC Annual Behavioral Health Conference in Chicago last week, a key presentation focused on the revisions to the Human Resources chapter in the Behavioral Health Manual that go into effect on January 1, 2015. So, what are the changes and what do you need to do...
Suicide Risk Assessment Now # 2 in Top Ten Compliance Issues for Behavioral Health
TJC recently published the Top Ten Standards Compliance Issues for the First Half of 2014. (See table below.) There is not much new or different from previous years but it's worth noting that suicide risk assessment has now climbed to the # 2 spot on the list with 21%...
Opportunities for Improvement
Organizations surveyed after July 1, 2014 will see a change in how their findings are written up in their TJC survey reports. There will now be an Opportunities for Improvement section included in the survey report. Included in this OFI section will be single...
Revisions to TJC Behavioral Health Opioid Treatment Standards
If your organization operates an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP), be sure to review the recent changes to the TJC Behavioral Health standards that apply to these programs. There are some changes to the following chapters: Care, Treatment and Services Medication...
Heads Up on Battery Operated Smoke Detectors in Behavioral Health Residential Settings
One of our clients that operates a residential treatment program recently underwent their initial TJC survey. They were surveyed under the Life Safety Code Residential Occupancy requirements for Lodging and Rooming Houses that have from 4 to 16 occupants. The...
TJC Changes to PFIs and Life Safety Equivalencies
[thumbnail alt="Tim O’Rourke, CHFM" type="img-thumbnail" alignment="alignright" image="http://barrins.a3creativeloft.com/wp-content/uploads/TimOrourke-219x300.jpg" ]Tim O’Rourke, CHFM, B&A Engineer[/thumbnail]Barrins & Associates engineer Tim O'Rourke, CHFM...
Competence Assessment in Behavioral Health
During surveys of both psychiatric hospitals and behavioral health organizations, issues continue to arise around how the organization is assessing the competence of its clinical staff. We have seen several survey findings for organizations not clearly defining...
High Reliability: Important Topic for TJC Leadership Interview
For several years, the common topic for the leadership interview on the last day of the survey was the five "pillars of leadership" as described in standards LD.03.01.01 - LD.03.06.01: Using data Planning Communicating Changing Performance Staffing This topic is still...
No More Complimentary Standards Manuals
Be aware that effective January 2014 TJC will no longer be mailing complimentary hard copies of the standards manuals and standards updates to accredited organizations. Standards manuals and standards updates will be available to accredited organizations via E-dition...
Suicide Risk Assessment: Patient Bathrooms
During surveys of inpatient psychiatric units (and sometimes in residential programs) TJC surveyors continue to cite suicide risks they identify in the environment. Commonly occurring issues are plastic trash can liners, loopable hardware in bedrooms and bathrooms,...