Increased CMS Oversight Puts Pressure on AOs to Spot Problems
In a new report to Congress, CMS says the disparity rate between serious problems identified by the AOs and those found by CMS surveyors within 60 days of survey was 46% in fiscal year 2016, up from 38% and 39%, respectively, in the two preceding fiscal years.
CMS to Increase Oversight of Accreditation Organizations
CMS wants to put a stronger spotlight on times when The Joint Commission and other accreditation organzations fail to find patient safety problems later discovered by CMS survey teams conducting performance checks referred to as validation surveys.
Joint Commission Surveyor Focus Remains on EC, Life Safety, Ligature Risks
Officials highlighted the need for improved compliance with safety standards at The Joint Commission’s annual Hospital Executive Briefings held September 14 in New York City.
Safety Standards Pose Problems for TJC-Accredited Hospitals
Released in the September issue of Perspectives, the data was aggregated from 676 applicable Joint Commission hospital surveys from January 1 through June 30.
Nurse Faces 10 Years in Prison for Scam Involving Deceased Patient
Melissa Denise DeLap, 49, a community registered nurse in Columbia, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty in federal court this week to one count of healthcare fraud, prosecutors said.
HFAP Revises Standards With Ligature Risk Updates
Several HFAP standards have been updated, including Staff Training – Identification of Patients at Risk for Harm, Periodic Monitoring for Safety Issues, Building Safety, and Review of Safety Policies and Procedures.
Eight Steps to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Harassment by Non-Employees
Non-employee sexual harassment, also called third-party sexual harassment, is common, says attorney Sarah Carlins with Houston Harbaugh in Pittsburgh. The employer can be liable for acts of a non-employee if the employer knew about the conduct and failed to take immediate and appropriate corrective action.
Survey: 36% of Facilities Struggle to Meet TJC MRI Standards
The standards, which are in effect for hospital and ambulatory care programs, require that MRI facilities should collect data on incidents where ferromagnetic objects unintentionally entered the MRI scanner room and injuries resulting from the presence of ferromagnetic objects in the scanner room.
Quick Look: Immediate Jeopardy
It works like this: CMS catches wind of a severe safety violation at your facility and places it under IJ. You are then given a deadline to fix the problem and come up with a plan to ensure it never happens again—and if you don’t, CMS will revoke your facility’s Medicare and Medicaid funding.
HFAP to Keep Name, Transition to AAHHS Brand Canceled
According to HFAP media representative Mary Velan, there’s currently no AAHHS brand to speak of, nor is there going to be one in the near future. Further, she says, “moving forward there will be only HFAP.”