Joint Commission issues new Sentinel Event Alert on violence against healthcare workers
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on April 17 announced that it had issued a new Sentinel Event Alert 59: Physical and verbal violence against healthcare workers. The Joint Commission issued the alert during Workplace Violence Awareness Month to help healthcare workers in hospitals and other healthcare settings recognize violence from…
CMS grants exceptions to ASCs in areas affected by natural disasters
Editor's Note Because of the impact of several recent natural disasters, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is granting exceptions for Medicare quality reporting requirements to ASCs in affected areas, the February 12 ASCA News reports. Exceptions include: ASCs in two California counties affected by wildfires ASCs located…
CMS: Two exercises of emergency operations plan required annually
Editor's Note The Joint Commission reported on January 31 that it had confirmed with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that organizations are required to have two exercises of their emergency operations plan annually. Among the organizations to which the requirement applies are: deemed hospitals critical access hospitals…
New ECRI Institute resource provides solutions for IV-minibag shortage
Editor's Note The ECRI Institute on January 19 announced the release of a special Health Devices guidance article featuring recommendations and alternative solutions for dealing with the IV-fluid minibag (50-250 mL) shortage that resulted form Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. The guidance provides a functional equivalence chart for IV solution…
FDA Commissioner updates drug shortage efforts in Puerto Rico
Editor's Note Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, on January 4 issued a statement, updating the continued efforts to mitigate the IV saline and amino acids for injection shortages caused by Hurricane Maria. The FDA expects the IV saline shortage to improve in early 2018. Just before…
Joint Commission updates emergency management requirements
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on November 3 updated its emergency management requirements for hospital, ambulatory, home health, and hospice settings, effective November 15. The updated standards will assist healthcare organizations in more effectively planning for disasters and coordinate with federal, state, tribal, regional, and local emergency preparedness systems. The…
Capitol Hill lawmakers participate in ACS bleeding control training
Editor's Note Nearly 40 members of Congress and staff on October 12 received training from surgeon members of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) on how to stop life-threatening bleeding. The class was designed to teach individuals with no prior medical knowledge how to control rapid bleeding from traumatic injuries…
ECRI Institute offers free disaster preparedness, recovery resources
Editor's Note In response to the destruction caused by hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, the ECRI Institute is providing free access to resources, publications, and tools to help guide healthcare facilities affected by natural disasters. The Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Resource Center, which includes links to material from the ECRI…
CMS granting exemptions for providers affected by Hurricane Irma
Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is granting exemptions under Medicare quality reporting and value-based purchasing programs for certified providers (eg, acute care hospitals, long-term care hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers) affected by storms and flooding from Hurricane Irma. Providers will be granted exemptions without having to…
Joint Commission temporarily suspends accreditation surveys in Houston
Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced on August 30 that because of flooding in Houston and surrounding areas, it is temporarily suspending accreditation survey activity for organizations severely affected by Hurricane Harvey. Joint Commission Online Weekly Newsletter
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