Joint Commission Changes its Changes

Posted on the Joint Commission website today:


Hospital deeming application: March 2009 Update
In January 2009, The Joint Commission posted 165 new and revised requirements as part of its hospital deeming application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Following discussions with CMS, a number of those requirements were considered equivalent to existing elements of performance or were already addressed in The Joint Commission survey process. As a result, the number of new and revised requirements has been reduced to 87.

Revised 2009 Accreditation Requirements as of March 26, 2009 - Hospital Accreditation Program

Changes to Accreditation Requirements between January 5, 2009 and March 26, 2009 documents - Hospital Accreditation Program

ISBAR?

The IHI posted a tool from Rhode Island Hospital that they call ISBAR.

At first glance, this appears to be the same as SBAR with I (Identify) inserted at the beginning of the process.

The full text as well as the tool itself can be downloaded from the IHI website at: http://www.ihi.org/IHI/Topics/PatientSafety/SafetyGeneral/Tools/ISBARTripTick.htm

You will need to be logged into the IHI website to download the tool.

IHA Issues Call for Presentations at Annual Meeting

Posted on the IHA Website today (emphasis added):

IHA has issued a call for presentations for its Annual Meeting set for Sept. 16-18 in Indianapolis. This call is intended to give IHA members, corporate sponsors, and affiliated societies an opportunity to showcase patient safety, quality improvement, and service excellence initiatives that have positively impacted an organization’s bottom line. Application materials can be found at: http://www.ihaconnect.org/Education/IHAAnnualMeeting/default.aspx.

IHA must receive completed proposals by April 29 in order to assure consideration. Contact Cathleen Armold at carmold@ihaconnect.org for additional questions.

Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae

The IHI today posted CDC guidelines regarding Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) on its website.

You can find IHI post here.
You an go directly to the CDC guidelines here.

Excerpt of IHI posting:

Infection with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) or carbapenemase-producing enterobacteriaceae is emerging as an important challenge in health care settings. This threatens to become a problem akin to MRSA. Institutions must be alert for this and other very resistant organisms (ESBL, CTX producing gram negatives, etc.) and not limit foci to C. difficile and MRSA.

www.healthreform.gov

The White House opened a new website dedicated to Healthcare Reform. It is at: http://www.healthreform.gov/

If you probe around, you will find a report of comments from when the "Health Care Community Discussion" was in Indiana (December 08).

You can see the report of that meeting here: http://www.healthreform.gov/communityreports/indiana/indiana_46526.html

It's quite interesting to see what Indiana people say about healthcare.

Ed.

NQF Releases Safe Practices for Better Healthcare 2009 Update: A Consensus Report

A few days ago, the NQF released its 2009 Update of a previously released consensus report: Safe Practices for Better Healthcare.


The following is an excerpt of the document description posted on the NQF website:

Safe Practices for Better Healthcare—2009 Update presents 34 practices that have been demonstrated to be effective in reducing the occurrence of adverse healthcare events. This revised set of NQF-endorsed safe practices has been updated with current evidence and expanded implementation approaches, and it provides additional measures for assessing the implementation of the practices.

As of today, only the electronic pdf version of the report is available. You can buy it here for $29.99.
A free summary report is here.


Did you miss out on the 2006 version? ...Not sure if your hospital can pay you back the $30? You can download the 2006 version for free at: http://www.qualityforum.org/pdf/projects/safe-practices/SafePractices2006UpdateFINAL.pdf

Interestingly, a quick Internet search will reveal the draft version of the 2009 version here.

IHA News Update - March 11, 2009

The following is the cut and paste of the March 11 IHA News Update. Items of interest to healthcare quality professionals are highlighted in red.


Hospital Leaders Meet With Legislators at Hospital Day
IHA members interacted with more than half of the General Assembly during yesterday’s Hospital Day at the Statehouse. “Hospital Day was a huge success,” said Matthew Bailey, IHA chairman and president of Good Samaritan Hospital, Vincennes. “There was a lot of interaction between members and legislators, and the governor’s address was a great addition to the program.”

The meeting began with a lively Indiana Week in Review panel discussion led by WISH TV’s Jim Shella. Next, IHA presented an award to Gov. Daniels. The governor addressed the group and then took member questions. He commended hospital leaders for their statesmanship and praised members for placing patients’ needs before institutional needs. In particular he noted leadership in regards to patient safety and expanding access through the Healthy Indiana Plan. The governor also talked about improving Indiana’s health status measures and health information technology.

Members were also provided with a legislative update, talking points, and a Statehouse tour. The 2008 PAC awards were also presented. Attendance at the legislator reception exceeded expectations. Many hospitals were able to meet with their legislators during the reception and others scheduled meetings with them during the day.

Click here to view photos from yesterday’s Hospital Day at the Statehouse.

PAC Award Winners Announced at Hospital Day
IHA recognized several hospitals for their performance during the 2008 Friends of Indiana Hospitals campaign at Hospital Day.

The William S. Hall Award, IHA’s “most-improved” award went to Good Samaritan Hospital, Vincennes. Matthew Bailey is president and CEO. Two organizations earned honorable mentions for this category—Bloomington Hospital, Mark E. Moore, president/CEO; and St. Catherine Hospital Inc., East Chicago, Jo Ann Birdzell, administrator.

The highest percentage of goal award went to Henry County Hospital, New Castle. Blake Dye is president and CEO. Honorable mentions for this category went to Dupont Hospital, Fort Wayne, Dr. Michael H. Schatzlein, president/CEO; Bedford Regional Medical Center, Bradford W. Dykes, president/CEO; and Schneck Medical Center, Seymour, Gary A. Meyer, president/CEO.

AHAPAC MVP awards were also presented. The AHA MVP award winners were Blake Dye, president/CEO, Henry County Hospital, New Castle; and Matthew Bailey, president/CEO, Good Samaritan Hospital, Vincennes.

Bloomington, Clarian to Merge
Bloomington Hospital is moving forward with plans to integrate with Indianapolis-based Clarian Health. A definitive agreement has been signed. The merger is expected to be completed in 18 months.

ISDH Alerts Hospitals to Spend Disaster Funds Now
The Indiana State Department of Health is alerting hospitals that all disaster preparedness funds received under the 2008 contract must be spent by June 30 or will be subject to forfeiture to the state. Contract funds received in 2009 must be spent by Oct.7. If additional needs cannot be identified within an organization, funds may also be signed over to their districts for use on projects.

Seventeen percent of funds issued through the ISDH have not been reported as spent. Consult with your disaster preparedness coordinator to ensure that you have appropriately documented and reported your expenditures and that all funds are being used to improve your organization's disaster preparedness.

Program on Stimulus Provisions Set for April 23
Register now for e-Health Care Transformation: Demystifying the Stimulus Bill HITECH Provisions. The program is set for April 23 at the Montage, Indianapolis. Topics to be covered include medical identity theft red flags, mandated e-prescribing, HIPAA privacy and security requirement changes, and the implementation of telehealth to address workforce shortage issues. The program will also provide an overview of the economic stimulus package provisions for information technology and a practical approach to spending stimulus dollars on heath IT projects. To register, visit www.regonline.com/iha2009e-health.

IHA Leadership Conference set for May 21
Mark your calendars for the 2009 IHA Leadership Conference set for May 21 at The Montage, Indianapolis. The program will be led by Sg2 Chairman and CEO Michael Sachs. Sachs will provide demand forecasts using IHA’s inpatient and outpatient data. The forecast will factor in market volatility; alignment changes; demand shifts; and changes in coverage.

Using effective forecasting techniques, this program will help leaders manage uncertainty by projecting how change will impact health care service delivery in the future. Registration information will be available in the near future. To learn more about Sg2 visit their Web site at http://www.sg2.com/.

Registration Deadline for Retention Briefing Extended
The registration deadline for Engaging and Retaining Nurses: A Prescription for Redesign in Tough Economic Times has been extended until Monday. The program is set for March 18 at the Hilton Indianapolis North. Following the session, participants will have: an understanding of the role nurse retention plays in effective and efficient care; knowledge of Transforming Care at the Bedside—its principles, processes, and outcomes; an understanding of “vitality” and its contribution to nurse retention and care redesign; tools for measuring and improving vitality among nurses and other caregivers; a framework for developing nursing leadership competencies to support innovation; and techniques to engage frontline staff. To register, visit www.regonline.com/iha2009rnretention.

careLearning Informational Webinar Set for April 9
careLearning will host an informational webinar on April 9 for those interested in learning more about online education opportunities. The program will feature an overview of careSkills- a competency module that allows health care organizations to identify, assess, and analyze the skills, knowledge, and abilities of its workforce. Several IHA members are already enjoying the numerous benefits careLearning has to offer. Click here to read the careLearning newsletter and to view a list of upcoming webinars. You do not have to be a member of careLearning to participate in the webinars.

WHO to Launch Global Hand Hygiene Initiative
In May, the World Health Organizations will launch a new global initiative called SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands. The aim is to globally improve hand hygiene compliance in order to improve patient safety. The WHO hopes to engage 5000 hospitals by 2010. Over 280 hospitals have already indicated their interest in participating. Learn more at savelives@who.int.

IHA News Update - March 4, 2009

The most recent IHA News Update is cut and pasted below. Items of particular interest to Healthcare Quality Professionals are in red.


Stimulus Web Site Launched; Projects Due Monday
Indiana has launched a new Web site, http://www.in.gov/gov/INvest.htm, dedicated to information on the federal stimulus legislation. Of particular interest to hospitals is the section on competitive grants. Hospitals should submit information on potential shovel-ready projects through this Web site. The definition of shovel-ready is: infrastructure projects which have already been thoroughly designed by architects and engineers such that they are ready to be put out for bid for construction. The deadline for submission is Monday.

Although the portal has changed from the Ball State Web site, communicated to you earlier, project information is being collected using the same forms and process. If your hospital has already submitted projects through the BSU Web site it is not necessary to resubmit that information.

Session Hits Halfway Point, Bill Track Updated
The 2009 legislative session has reached the halfway point. Bills have either changed houses or “died”. This year, over 1,700 bills were introduced and only about 450 bills remain. IHA’s Bill Track has been updated and there will be limited action this week as committee hearings are just getting underway.

In addition to active bills, the Bill Track shows several bills that are dead and unlikely to be revived this session. Three bills failing to advance dealt with assignment of benefits. SB 75, authored by Sen. Beverly Gard (R-Greenfield), was strongly supported by provider groups but failed on third reading. The bill was not defeated, but lacked a constitutional majority at 25-24. View the latest Bill Track.

30 Percent Response Rate Needed for AHA Survey
IHA is encouraging community hospitals to participate in an AHA survey—The Economic Crisis: Ongoing Monitoring of Impact on Hospitals. The survey will be fielded later this week. If the response rate in Indiana is at least 30 percent, IHA will receive a copy of the data for its own state analysis.

IHA President’s Op-Ed Featured in Indy Star
The Indianapolis Star published an opinion editorial by IHA President Douglas J. Leonard regarding the need to pass House Bill 1213, establishing smoke-free workplaces for Hoosiers. Read the article.

Hospital Day Set for Next Week; Register Now
Hospital Day at the Statehouse 2009 is next week. So far, nearly 40 Indiana policymakers have registered for the Legislator Reception at the Eiteljorg Museum from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Gov. Daniels is also expected to address the IHA membership. To register, visit www.regonline.com/iha2009hospday.

HHS Adopts Modified Medical Data Code Sets
The Department of Health and Human Services released a final rule modifying medical data code set standards. The rule replaces the code sets now used to report health care diagnoses and hospital procedures with greatly expanded code sets. The final rule is available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-743.pdf.

CMS Begins Dry Run on Nine Quality Measures
On March 2, CMS began a “dry run” for nine patient safety and inpatient quality indicators that will be used to determine payment updates for FY 2009. The dry run provides hospitals the opportunity to review their performance and provide CMS with feedback. Hospital-specific reports can be accessed via QualityNet Exchange. Calculations featured on the dry run reports will be based on Medicare claims for 2006. These reports will not be used in any payment determinations, nor will it be publicly reported. The dry run is intended to familiarize hospitals with these performance measures prior to implementing them for public reporting on Hospital Compare later this year.

IHA Accreditation Webinar Set for March 12
IHA's Accreditation Alternatives webinar is set for March 12 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The program will feature Joint Commission Executive Vice President Dr. Ann Scott Blouin. Dr. Blouin is responsible for oversight of the accreditation and certification programs for more than 15,000 health care organizations. She will speak on the Joint Commission’s hospital standards and accreditation changes for the new deemed status application.

Additionally, a panel of Indiana hospital representatives will share their experiences with HFAP and ISO 9001 certification. The cost is $100 per connection. It is free to those who participated in the Jan. 20 accreditation webinar. The registration deadline is March 10. To register, visit http://www.regonline.com/iha2009accreditation2-web.

Registration Deadline for Retention Briefing is March 10
March 10 is the registration deadline for Engaging and Retaining Nurses: A Prescription for Redesign in Tough Economic Times. Nurse leaders should register now to secure a spot. The program will be held March 18 at the Hilton Indianapolis North. Presenters from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Transforming Care at the Bedside initiative will lead a discussion on the role nurse retention plays in effective and efficient care. They will also focus on Transforming Care at the Bedside principles, processes, and outcomes. To register, visit www.regonline.com/iha2009rnretention.

Program to Focus on Stimulus Provisions, Register Now
Register now for e-Health Care Transformation: Demystifying the Stimulus Bill HITECH Provisions. It is set for April 23 at the Montage, Indianapolis. The program will provide an overview of the economic stimulus package and explain in detail provisions that will directly impact hospitals including allocations for information technology projects and the significant changes to HIPAA requirements.

Participants will attend two breakout sessions. Topics will include medical identity theft red flags, mandated e-prescribing, HIPAA privacy and security requirement changes, and the implementation of telehealth to address workforce shortage issues. To register, visit www.regonline.com/iha2009e-health.

IHA Members, Affiliates Among Best Places to Work
Several IHA members and affiliate organizations were recognized among the 2009 Best Places to Work in Indiana by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Those recognized include:

• BSA LifeStructures, Indianapolis
• Clark Memorial Hospital, Jeffersonville
• Columbus Regional Hospital, Columbus
• Ernst & Young LLP, Indianapolis
• Good Samaritan Hospital, Vincennes
• Goshen Health System, Goshen
• Hancock Regional Hospital, Greenfield
• Ice Miller LLP, Indianapolis
• Schneck Medical Center, Seymour
• St. Joseph Hospital, Kokomo
• Union Hospital Health Group, Terre Haute
• Blue & Co. LLC, Carmel
• Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman PC, Indianapolis

Regenstrief Institute Receives WHO Designation
The World Health Organization has designated the Regenstrief Institute as its first Center for Medical Informatics. The four-year designation directly connects Regenstrief's medical informatics group with a larger international collaboration of experts. The WHO and Regenstrief Institute will work together on the Open Medical Record System—a free electronic medical record system available to physicians and other health-care providers in countries with limited resources.

Indiana Trauma Evaluation Report Now Available
The final report from the American College of Surgeons’ evaluation of Indiana’s trauma system is now available on the IHA Web site. The report incorrectly lists motor vehicle registrations as a funding source for the trauma system. A note has been sent to ACS to correct the error. Read the report.

Join Sprint Action Day Set for March 10
If your hospital has not yet tested the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist, test it on Sprint Action Day set for March 10. The day is designed to support and accelerate testing and use of the checklist. If you have questions regarding implementation of the checklist, participate in a coaching call on March 10 or March 19. When your hospital has tested the checklist, notify Mikell Brown at 317/423-7726 or mbrown@ihaconnect.org. Learn more at http://www.ihi.org/.

IHA Legislative Update 2-23-09

The IHA issued a "Bill Tracker" last week. My apologies for overlooking it.

You can download it here.

You may need to log in to the IHA website.

Although there is significant items of interest to hospital administrators, there is minimal of immediate interest to the healthcare quality professional. All bills mentioned earlier in this blog appear to be dead for 2009.

Kathleen Sebelius to be nominated for HHS Post

Several news sources started reporting yesterday that Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius will be nominated for the HHS post by Obama on Monday.

As we know, the Secretary of HHS will be a key player in healthcare reform.

Who's Kathleen Sebelius?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathleen_Sebelius

http://www.governor.ks.gov/about/bio.htm

http://www.ksgovernor.com/timearticle.asp