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: July 2021 Update
The number of onsite Joint Commission surveys increases each month as we move out of the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2021, TJC scheduled 784 onsite surveys. That’s the highest number since they resumed limited onsite survey activity in June 2020. In March 2021, they...
Falls Now Included as Sentinel Events
As we work with clients on survey readiness, we’re noticing some organizations haven’t updated their Sentinel Event policy to include the Joint Commission definition of falls as sentinel events. The new definition went into effect January 1, 2021. Here’s what you need...
NPSG 15 Suicide Prevention: The Monitoring Requirement
As we know, compliance with the requirements of National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG) 15 on Suicide Prevention continues to be a challenge for many organizations. Survey findings related to inadequate suicide risk assessment abound. But what about the requirement to...
SAFER Dashboard Launched by TJC
Ever wonder how your survey results stack up against other similar organizations? TJC has made that easier to do with its new SAFER Dashboard. The SAFER Dashboard is a self-serve data analytic tool. It allows organizations to view their survey data and national...
DNV Has Deeming Authority for Psychiatric Hospitals
DNV Healthcare is now the second Accrediting Organization (after The Joint Commission) to receive deeming authority from CMS for psychiatric hospitals to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. CMS granted deeming authority to DNV in July 2020. CMS’s...
New Joint Commission Life Safety Requirements for Business Occupancies
Heads up! There’s are new Joint Commission Life Safety standards for business occupancies effective July 1, 2021. They apply to organizations accredited under both the Hospital Manual and the Behavioral Health & Human Services manual. So, what’s involved and how...
Virtual Joint Commission Surveys: What’s the Status?
As we know, once the pandemic hit, TJC launched its virtual survey process. The number of virtual Joint Commission surveys increased dramatically over the past year as the Public Health Emergency continued. Fast forward: TJC reinstituted routine onsite surveys effective March 15th. However, they’ll continue with a certain volume of virtual surveys in the near term. We’re providing an update on how these surveys are unfolding in the field. And how to prepare if you’re anticipating a virtual Joint Commission survey.
Joint Commission Document Review 2021: Be Prepared
Whether you have an onsite or a virtual survey, the Joint Commission Document Review is critical. Your documents give surveyors their first impression of your organization. And we all know “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.†Thorough preparation for this session is key to your survey success. So, let’s review some survey strategies. So, thorough preparation for this session is key to your survey success. So, let’s review some survey strategies.
Onsite Joint Commission Surveys: March 2021 Update
What’s the latest on Joint Commission survey activity? Well, we may soon be seeing a return to “business as usual” for onsite Joint Commission surveys. As we know, The Joint Commission resumed onsite survey activity on a limited basis in June. Their approach to date has been to conduct onsite surveys in counties that are low risk for COVID-19. Effective March 15th that approach is changing.
Joint Commission 2021 Standards: What’s New?
Are you all squared away with the Joint Commission 2021 standards that went into effect January 1st? Now is a good time for a final check to be sure you’re fully compliant with all the new 2021 requirements. Our experience is when a new year begins, surveyors often...