Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced on August 15 that additional changes will be made to elements of performance (EPs) in the Nursing and Provision of Care, Treatment, and Services chapters of the accreditation manuals for critical access hospitals and deemed-status hospital programs, effective January 1, 2019. The Centers for…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission on August 8 recognized four healthcare organizations as 2018 Pioneers in Quality Expert Contributors for their efforts to advance the evolution and utilization of electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs). The organizations are: BJC Healthcare, St Louis MedStar St Mary’s Hospital, Leonardtown, Maryland Texas Health Resources,…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced August 1 that beginning September 1, callers to its patient safety event phone line (1-800-994-6610) will receive automated instructions on how to file a report or concern. The line will no longer be answered by a staff member. The Joint Commission says the phone…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission on July 31 announced a new performance measure, “PC-06 Unexpected Complications in Term Newborns,” effective January 1, 2019. The new measure will be added to the five measures already required for accredited hospitals with at least 300 live births per year. PC-06 requires hospitals to…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced on July 25 that its Direct Data Submission (DDS) platform is now available for submission of CY 2018 electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) data and future submissions. For CY 2018, there are now two eCQM data submission methods for accredited hospitals with ORYX eCQM…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission on July 24 announced a new advisory on pressure injuries related to medical devices--including feeding or oxygen tubes, catheters, orthopedic devices, bedpans, and casts--which now account for more than 30% of all hospital-acquired pressure injuries. The Joint Commission Quick Safety, Issue 43: “Managing medical device-related…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission on July 18 announced that it will implement several standards changes for fluoroscopy services in ambulatory care organizations, critical access hospitals, hospitals, and office-based surgery practices, effective January 1, 2019. The revisions clarify expectations and address areas of risk with imaging, and they include a…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission on July 11 announced that effective January 1, 2019, it will implement a revised eligibility requirement and two revised requirements for the Advanced Certification for Total Hip & Knee Replacement (THKR) program. The revised eligibility requirement and revision to the Performance Measure chapter of the…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission on June 27 announced that the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) now requires employers (including many healthcare organizations) to report Form 300A data electronically because it no longer accepts paper submissions. Form 300A is a summary of serious work-related injuries and illnesses that occur…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission on June 25 released new and revised pain assessment and management standards that will be applicable to accredited critical access hospitals and ambulatory care and office-based surgery organizations, effective January 1, 2019. The standards are designed to strengthen an organization’s practices for pain assessment, treatment,…

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