Editor's Note The Joint Commission on August 31 released its top five most challenging requirements for the first half of 2016. The top five requirements cited most frequently as “not compliant” for hospitals during surveys and reviews from January 1 through June 30 are: 66% EC.02.06.01 The hospital establishes and…

Read More

Editor's Note In this study, the preponderance of medical evidence supports Center of Excellence accreditation for bariatric surgery centers. This meta-analysis analyzed 13 studies that included more than 1.5 million patients. Among the benefits of accreditation: 10 studies found a substantial benefit for risk-adjusted outcomes 6 studies reported a considerable…

Read More

Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced on May 18 that it had updated its Quality Check website. The website, launched in 1996, allows customers to search for accredited and certified organizations by city, state, name, zip code, or Joint Commission identification number. The updated site also lets customers search by services…

Read More

Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on April 29 approved the San Francisco-based Institute for Medical Quality (IMQ) as a national accrediting organization for Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) that participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs (known as deemed status), the May ASC Focus reports. IMQ…

Read More

Editor's Note The Joint Commission on March 30 posted the top requirements for accreditation identified most frequently as “not compliant” during surveys and reviews from January 1 through December 31, 2015. Among the most challenging: Granting initial, renewed, or revised clinical privileges to individuals who are permitted by law and…

Read More

Editor's Note The Joint Commission on March 16 announced that the new Patient Blood Management Certification Review Process Guide (2016) is now available. Contents include a description of activities that take place during an on-site certification review and tips to prepare for the review process.   Patient Blood Management Certification…

Read More

Editor's Note The Joint Commission on February 16 launched a new initiative called “Pioneers in Quality.” The program provides education and support for hospitals as they strive to meet the growing requirements for electronic clinical quality measures. Key components of the initiative include: Educational webinars Resource portal Modified annual report focusing…

Read More

Editor's Note The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore sustained top performance on all Joint Commission accountability measures from 2012 through 2014, and now more than 96% of patients receive recommended care consistent with national quality measures, this study finds. The sustainability process included: declaring and communicating goals creating an enabling…

Read More

Editor's Note The Joint Commission on January 27 announced that applications for its new Patient Blood Management Certification are now being accepted. The goal of the certification is to assist hospitals in implementing practices to help eliminate unnecessary transfusions and adverse outcomes. The certification is valid for 2 years.  …

Read More

Editor's Note The Joint Commission on January 25 announced that Parrish Medical Center, Titusville, Florida, is the first hospital to be awarded its Integrated Care Certification. The Joint Commission began offering the certification in July 2015 to recognize hospitals and ambulatory care settings that excel at integrating information-sharing, transitions of…

Read More