TJC & CMS News Blog Information
for Hospitals and Behavioral Healthcare
To read articles written prior to January 2015, please view our Newsletter Archive.
Suicide Risk Reduction: Two New FAQs from TJC
Have you seen The Joint Commission’s two new FAQs on suicide risk reduction? The first one relates to monitoring of patients at high risk for suicide. The second FAQ clarifies the requirement for self-closing and self-locking doors. Both are critically important. Get...
TJC Medication Management Tracer: Survey Management Strategies
Second in our series on TJC Survey Management Strategies. The TJC Medication Management Tracer has been part of the survey process for awhile. For this reason, some organizations underestimate its importance. Don’t make that mistake. Safe medication management is a high focus area for TJC right now. Consequently, this session is more important than ever. So, what exactly is the Medication Management Tracer all about? And how do you prepare for it?
Suicide Risk Reduction: Be Clear on TJC’s New July 1 Requirements
The countdown is on. July 1st is when the new Joint Commission requirements for suicide risk reduction go into effect. The revised National Patient Safety Goal NPSG.15.01.01 has seven new and revised elements of performance. We do a lot of education on the new...
TJC Document Review Session: Survey Management Strategies
First in our series on TJC Survey Management Strategies. “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.” We’ve all heard that. And you can be sure it applies to your Joint Commission survey.You know the drill. The surveyors arrive at your facility. After introductions, their first real task is the Document Review …
Intimidating Behavior Undermines a Culture of Safety
Intimidating behavior has been called the “healthcare equivalent of road rage.” As more and more healthcare organizations work on building a Culture of Safety, they’re forced to address this issue head on. Intimidating Behavior and a Culture of Safety A hallmark of a...
Suicide Risk Assessment: Q&A on July 1 Revisions to NPSG 15.01.01
Are you ready for the new Joint Commission requirements effective July 1, 2019 for suicide risk assessment? TJC has revised National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG) 15.01.01. There are seven new and revised elements of performance. We covered this topic in previous posts...
CMS Immediate Jeopardy: Revised Guidelines for Surveyors
Are you up to speed on how CMS is instructing its surveyors to cite Immediate Jeopardy? Effective March 5, 2019, CMS revised its surveyor guidelines for citing cases of Immediate Jeopardy …
Pain Management: New Requirements in TJC Behavioral Health Standards
Is your organization surveyed under The Joint Commission’s Behavioral Health Care standards? If so, be aware of new requirements effective July 1, 2019 related to pain assessment and pain management. First, let’s review the current requirements and then take a look at the new ones coming in July.
Ligature Risks: New FAQs from TJC
Have you seen The Joint Commission’s latest FAQs on ligature risks? In January, TJC published three new FAQs on this topic. One is particularly noteworthy since it involves somewhat of an easing of TJC’s original position. So, let’s cover that one first. Ligature...
Culture of Safety: Now Part of your TJC Survey
Wondering how The Joint Commission’s emphasis on a culture of safety will impact your survey? We’re getting feedback on recent surveys and it’s clear this is a top priority for TJC.