Hospital Peer Review articles from December 2003

Hospital Peer Review archives from December 2003

Educating staff on tracer methodology is a must: survey results depend on it: this time around, surveyors will be asking unit staff the questions.
December 1, 2003... Are staff at your facility skeptical that surveyors from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations really will be asking them the questions during your next survey? You'll need to prepare staff for major changes in...

Comparative performance data now ready for use: first round of hospital performance data released.
December 1, 2003... Whether or not your hospital currently is participating in the National Voluntary Reporting Initiative, you can make good use of the just-released first round of hospital performance data. The data for 400 hospitals were posted on the Centers...

Boost patient satisfaction while enhancing safety: technology brings care directly to the patient.(Patient Satisfaction Planner[TM])
December 1, 2003... From testing to telemetry, patient care is being brought to the bedside of a growing number of patients across the country. Engendered by constantly evolving and improving technology, patient-focused care is demonstrating a significant...

New program helps breast cancer patients: successful pilot becomes full-time program.(Patient Satisfaction Planner[TM])
December 1, 2003... A case management program for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients at MeritCare Health System in Fargo, ND, helps women smoothly navigate through the health care maze as they make treatment decisions. The program started out as a pilot...

Quality control is major theme during survey: open chart review significant survey component.(Accreditation Field Report)
December 1, 2003... If Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations surveyors noted a potential problem area in one department at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, MI, they didn't stop there. Instead, they zealously looked for evidence of the same...

Gathering and reporting CPR performance data.(The Quality-Cost Connection)
December 1, 2003... Trending of resuscitation survival rates and other cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) measures of performance can help caregivers pinpoint potential problem areas. The Joint Commission's standards are somewhat vague with regard to what CPR...

CE questions.
December 1, 2003... 21. Which is true regarding the new tracer methodology from the Joint Commission? A. Patients will be selected based on core measures alone. B. Questions about patient care processes will be directed to managers instead of unit. ...

SARS audio program updates guidelines.(The Quality-Cost Connection)
December 1, 2003... Leading epidemiologists say a global return of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-which wreaked havoc on the health care systems that had to deal with it--is almost inevitable. The current overriding concern is that SARS will resurface as...