Editor's Note Joint Commission has posted its updated Survey Process Guides (SPGs) for hospitals and critical access hospitals on its website, according to the December 10 issue of Joint Commission Online. The SPGs, which are effective January 1, 2026, represent a major revision that replaces the Survey Activity Guide for…

Read More

Editor's Note Language access should be considered more than a patient experience issue because it’s also required for safety and accreditation, according to a December 2 story in Becker’s Hospital Review. One example is Joint Commission’s new National Performance Goals that take effect in January 2026, specifically NPGs 4 and…

Read More

Editor's Note Hospitals that succeed in surveys are those that “hardwire safety so you’re not ramping up and down,” said John R. Rosing, MHA, FACHE, executive vice president and principal of Patton Healthcare Consulting. Speaking at the OR Manager Conference, Rosing reminded perioperative leaders, “If we’re really about providing quality…

Read More

Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has activated shutdown rules that confine Medicare survey and certification work to health and safety essentials, according to an October 21 memo from the agency. Per the revised memorandum, excepted work during the federal shutdown includes investigations of complaints and…

Read More

Editor's Note The Joint Commission has made nurse staffing a national benchmark for hospital accreditation, formally recognizing it as a core measure of patient safety and care quality, Nurse.org October 13 reports. For the first time, hospitals must meet specific staffing standards to earn or maintain accreditation. Under the new…

Read More

Editor's Note The Joint Commission will launch a new initiative in January 2026 to highlight high-performing practices observed during accreditation surveys, according to an October 1 release from the organization. Called Survey Analysis For Evaluating STrengths (SAFEST), the program aims to provide more balanced feedback to accredited organizations while building…

Read More

Editor's Note The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has launched a new online tool that helps patients and families locate hospitals recognized for delivering high-quality surgical care, according to an August 26 ACS announcement. The “Find a Hospital” tool highlights facilities that have earned ACS accreditation or verification through an…

Read More

Editor's Note Patient complaints against hospitals have skyrocketed, rising 79% in just 5 years and topping 14,500 in fiscal year 2024, HealthLeaders September 12 reports. The surge reflects not only mounting dissatisfaction with care experiences but also systemic oversight delays that leave concerns unaddressed, fueling mistrust in hospitals. The Centers…

Read More

For an ambulatory surgery center (ASC), earning accreditation can be more than a mark of excellence. The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) offers Medicare Deemed Status Accreditation, eliminating the need for separate surveys to certify compliance with the Conditions of Participation (CoPs) required by the Centers for Medicare…

Read More

Editor’s Note: This page is a companion piece to the main article, How ASCs ace the AAAHC accreditation survey. The posts below cover the latest version of the handbook from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and advice on delineation of privileges.  Navigating the new handbook The latest…

Read More