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…

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Editor's Note Hospitals will soon face stronger accountability for suicide prevention, as The Joint Commission prepares to implement “National Performance Goal (NPG) 8” on January 1, 2026, its September 3 news update reports. The goal, titled “The hospital reduces the risk for suicide,” replaces current requirements under “National Patient Safety…

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Editor's Note The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) released its v44 Standards, introducing new guidance designed to strengthen patient-focused care, streamline compliance, and align with evolving state regulations, an August 18 AAAHC announcement reports. As detailed in the news release, the v44 Standards, effective December 16, 2025, were…

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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…

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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…

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Takeaways • Different types of ASC leadership structures can be adapted to meet organizational needs. • Regulations, accreditation standards, size, and ownership types are examples of factors influencing the leadership structure. • Ongoing success of the ASC leadership team depends on factors such as governing body diversity and strategic planning.…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission has launched a major redesign of its healthcare accreditation and certification programs with Accreditation 360: The New Standard. According to a June 30 announcement, the new framework introduces outcome-focused performance tools, eliminates hundreds of requirements, and promises to made standards publicly accessible. Reportedly supported by…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission has announced UNIFY 2025: Convening for Quality, a national event set for September 16-17, 2025, in Washington, DC. The two-day gathering will bring together healthcare leaders and policymakers to address critical challenges in patient safety and healthcare quality. According to the announcement, the event will…

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Takeaways • The prevalence of needlesticks and other sharp object injuries to OR team members is 42.8%, an increase of 16% over the past decade. • New research and perspectives are shaping the discourse around sharps safety, such as new and expanded evidence-based practices presented in AORN’s 2025 update to…

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Editor's Note The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) has renewed its Medicare Deemed Status accreditation from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a December 16 press release from AAAHC reports. This renewal reflects AAAHC’s adherence to rigorous federal standards and its commitment to continuous improvement since…

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