TJC & CMS News Blog Information
for Hospitals and Behavioral Healthcare
To read articles written prior to January 2015, please view our Newsletter Archive.
Promoting Safety Through Environment of Care Rounding in Psychiatric Hospitals
A safe environment is the cornerstone of quality healthcare and is required by CMS, TJC, DNV, CIHQ, and state agencies. To achieve this, psychiatric hospitals must proactively identify and address safety risks, ensuring compliance with regulations while fostering a...
Prepared and Safe: Effective Disaster Response for Behavioral Health Care Settings
The Joint Commission recently published Sentinel Event Alert #69 “Environmental disasters: Preparing to safely evacuate or shelter in place,” emphasizing the need for U.S. healthcare facilities to prepare for environmental disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, and...
42 CFR Part 2: New Rules Every SUD Provider Should Know
Recent changes to 42 CFR Part 2 were finalized in February 2024 and align the confidentiality regulations for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) records with HIPAA and the HITECH Act. These changes focus on improving care coordination and reducing regulatory burdens for...
The Joint Commission: Encouraging Staff to Report Near Misses in Behavioral Health Settings
In behavioral health settings, reporting near misses is a cornerstone of fostering a culture of safety. Near misses—incidents that could have resulted in harm but did not—are crucial learning opportunities that help prevent future adverse events. The Joint Commission...
Safeguarding Behavioral Health Care: The Power of FMEA
In any healthcare setting, particularly in psychiatric hospitals and community behavioral health care environments, identifying and mitigating risks before they lead to adverse outcomes is crucial. Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is a proactive risk...
De-escalation, A Key Tool for Reducing Workplace Violence in Behavioral Health Settings
Workplace violence (WPV) in psychiatric hospitals and community behavioral health centers remains a significant concern. According to The Joint Commission’s recent EC News and Quick Safety articles, implementing de-escalation techniques plays a critical role in...
Creative Strategies for Reducing Youth Suicide: Building Hope and Resilience
Youth suicide is a heartbreaking reality that communities around the world grapple with. However, there is hope. By employing creative and compassionate strategies for reducing youth suicide, we can create environments that foster resilience, support mental health,...
Supporting the Completion and Implementation of Psychiatric Advance Directives
Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs) have emerged as essential tools in mental health care. They empower individuals with mental health conditions to maintain autonomy and ensure their treatment preferences are respected during crises. As these directives gain...
Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance Consultant in New Healthcare Builds
When embarking on the journey of constructing a new healthcare facility, the stakes are incredibly high. The success of the project not only depends on the architectural and construction teams but also on a seamless alignment with accreditation and regulatory...
Healthcare Competency Assessments: How to Make Them Engaging and Enjoyable
Assessing staff competencies in psychiatric hospitals and Behavioral Health Care & Human Services organizations is essential for ensuring quality patient care and maintaining high standards across the board. However, the traditional methods of evaluation can often...