C&A Blog Archives | Page 4 of 8 | Courtemanche & Associates

2021 Top 5 deficient areas identified by Courtemanche & Associates

July 6, 2021 / By Courtemanche & Associates Team

1. Competency: With advances in technology and more complex responsibilities amongst staff, the area of competency assessment and reassessment holds a lot of opportunity for improvement. Many organizations struggle with differentiating orientation and competency at the point of hire along with determining which competency assessment should occur on an annual basis. 2. Suicide Risk Identification …

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Behind the Scenes – Mock Survey

July 1, 2021 / By Denise E. Smith, RN, MS, CLNC, HACP-CMS, Senior Consultant

Do you ever wonder what a mock survey consultant does prior to visiting your organization? Have you been curious about the extent of preparation that occurs, how we are able to identify areas for improvement (or regulatory gaps) in a short period of time, and how it all comes together in a final report to enable effective resolution?

The Joint Commission Resuscitation Requirements For Healthcare

June 29, 2021 / By Patricia Cook, BS, R.Ph, HACP-CMS, Head of Consulting

The Joint Commission has shared that proposed Resuscitation Standards will be finalized in July 2021 with an effective date of January 1, 2022. Stay Tuned for more information from C&A in July on the new expectations set by these standards.

Exercise Exemption/Emergency Operations Plan

June 24, 2021 / By Patricia Cook, BS, R.Ph, HACP-CMS, Head of Consulting

On June 21, 2021, CMS issued QSO 20-41 outlining and clarifying the Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Requirements in light of the ongoing Public Health Emergency. To learn more about the testing requirements and exemptions that are in place, go to QSO-20-41-All-CMS-Exercise-Exemption-Emergency-Operations-Plan. Need help interpreting this for your organization? Contact us at info@courtemanche-assocs.com.

OSHA Releases New Safety Rule

June 11, 2021 / By Patricia Cook, BS, R.Ph, HACP-CMS, Head of Consulting

On June 10, 2021, OSHA released their newest Covid-19 safety rules for healthcare workers. To learn more click here. For assistance in interpreting or designing processes that will comply, contact C&A

Medical History & Physical Requirements for Ambulatory Healthcare

June 8, 2021 / By Patricia Cook, BS, R.Ph, HACP-CMS, Head of Consulting

The Joint Commission has revised their Medical History and Physical requirements for Office-Based Surgery and Ambulatory Health Care Accredited Organizations effective July 1, 2021. The new standards now indicate a Medical History and Physical Exam is performed as needed. The organization develops written policy on the criteria for which patients a medical H&P must be …

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Is Your Staff Competent and Can You Prove It?

June 1, 2021 / By Denise E. Smith, RN, MS, CLNC, HACP-CMS, Senior Consultant

The definition of competent is having the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to do something successfully. Being competent on paper and being able to perform a necessary skill or job responsibility are two different things. Before you can be competent you must be educated, trained and a competency assessment performed. You need to have the …

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Glucometer Infection Control Practices

June 1, 2021 / By Christopher Pratt, MS, BSN, HACP-CMS, Senior Consultant & Accredited Provider Program Director

In their May 2021 Newsletter, The Joint Commission relayed increasing concerns regarding observations of staff not following proper infection control practices with both the use of glucometers and during insulin administration. These observations have been to such a degree of concern for infection risk that organizations have received Immediate Threat citations. Staff are not following …

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Enzymatic Spraying of Instruments at Point of Use

May 27, 2021 / By Denise E. Smith, RN, MS, CLNC, HACP-CMS, Senior Consultant

You have finished the procedure, now what’s next? Prior to sending instruments to Sterile Processing, it is important to remember to remove as much blood and bioburden from the instruments and keep them moist during transport. With Personal Protective Equipment on, rinse or wipe the instruments with water. Never use saline as it will damage …

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