TJC & CMS News Blog Information
for Hospitals and Behavioral Healthcare
To read articles written prior to January 2015, please view our Newsletter Archive.
Onsite Joint Commission Surveys Resuming
Some of our clients are “back in the saddle again” in terms of onsite Joint Commission surveys. For example, we had several clients undergo their onsite triennial surveys last month. So, what are surveys like these days in light of the COVID-19 reality? We got some...
Virtual Joint Commission Surveys: How They Work
Have you heard about virtual Joint Commission surveys? TJC began conducting these a few months ago. Theyâre currently limited to hospitals applying for initial CMS deemed status and opioid treatment programs. So, what does a virtual survey process look like?
CMS Gives TJC 2 Year Deemed Status Approval
News Flash: CMS recently granted The Joint Commission only a two year approval for its authority to conduct deemed status surveys for hospitals. The last approval was for six years. So, what’s behind this shorter approval period?
Behavioral Health Tracers: Joint Commission 2020 Survey Update
Wondering what types of behavioral health tracers The Joint Commission is conducting as they resume surveys? By “behavioral health tracers” we mean the tracers done in psychiatric hospitals, behavioral health organizations, and psychiatric units of med/surg hospitals....
Joint Commission Standards: New Substance Use Treatment Requirements
Heads up! Does your organization provide treatment to individuals with addictions? If so, the new Joint Commission standards for substance use disorder treatment apply to you. The new requirements became effective July 1st in the Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program. They’re applicable to organizations providing care, treatment, or services to individuals with addictions.
We queried the TJC Standards Interpretation Group to determine …
Joint Commission Surveys Resume: Update on the Rollout
As we know, regular Joint Commission surveys resumed in June. So, how’s that going? TJC recently provided an update to our Consultants Forum group. Here’s some important info they shared. Surveys Targeted to Low Risk Areas Currently, TJC is scheduling surveys in...
Joint Commission Surveys: Infection Control Focus
As we know, regular Joint Commission surveys are resuming in June. Thus, as you ramp up your survey readiness, it’s important to focus on areas that will be a high priority for TJC. Clearly, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, infection control will be one of those high priority areas. TJC Behavioral Health leadership confirmed this during the recent COVID-19 Webinar Q & A for Behavioral Health Care. So, what can you do to be survey-ready in this area?
Joint Commission Surveys Resume in June
It’s official! The Joint Commission announced this week they will resume regular surveys in June. As we know, TJC suspended regular survey activity on March 16th due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since that time, they have not been conducting routine triennial surveys....
Joint Commission Surveys: When Will They Resume?
As we all know, The Joint Commission suspended regular survey activity effective March 16, 2020. We covered questions from our readers on that topic in our post The Joint Commission Suspends Surveys. Since that announcement, TJC has not been conducting routine...
COVID-19: Telepsychiatry and CMS Regulations
With the onset of COVID-19, telepsychiatry use has dramatically increased. Clearly, providers are finding it a viable solution for treating patients previously seen in office settings. In response, CMS recently eased several reimbursement requirements for the use of...