July 2025 Newsletter

In the News This Month

Greetings Everyone,

Is your organization's discharge planning process comprehensive enough to address a smooth transition for post-hospital care? Chris Pratt, Senior Consultant & Accredited Provider Program Director’s article “Essential Concepts of the Discharge Planning Process,” provides essential strategies important to include to minimize potential re-admission and promote overall well-being.

Also, this month Denise Smith, Head of Consulting & Senior Consultant, looks at the importance of Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE). Her article, “OPPE Performance Measurement Indicators,” highlights the importance of implementing OPPE as part of an organization’s re-credentialing program while providing examples of what to include in your OPPE process.

Thank you for taking the time to read our articles. We hope this information is helpful in assisting you with accreditation and regulatory compliance needs. For future topics or require our services, please reach out to us at info@courtemanche-assocs.com. Our team is always available and eager to assist you in any way we can.

Patient receiving discharge instructions from doctor in the hospital.

Jun 26 2025

Essential Concepts of the Discharge Planning Process
Discharge planning is a critical element of the admission process for patients to a hospital or healthcare facility.  It is a proactive part of treatment that ensures a smooth transition for the patient back to their home or to another healthcare setting to minimize potential re-admissions and promote overall ...
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The Author

Christopher Pratt, MS, BSN, RN, HACP-CMS

Chris Pratt is Senior Consultant & Accredited Provider Program Director with Courtemanche and Associates with more than 33 years in clinical and leadership experience working in varying healthcare positions from the bedside to the Boardroom. In this role, he is responsible for assessing healthcare organizations’ readiness for licensing, accreditation, and regulatory compliance. He is trained in the survey process, auditing approach and survey outcome determination utilized by The Joint Commission, DNV, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and other regulatory agencies and accrediting organizations. He assists organizations with post-survey activities, education, patient safety strategies, and quality improvement initiatives and has experience in various health care settings including acute care, behavioral health, and ambulatory care settings.

Chris Pratt-2025-1
physician receiving credentialing

Jun 26 2025

OPPE Performance Measurement Indicators
What should be included for a successful OPPE Program In 2008, The Joint Commission issued new standards related to ongoing professional performance evaluations.   These evaluations became part of the medical staff process for granting and maintaining practice privileges in a healthcare organization.  Despite these standards being issued over 15 ...
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The Author

Denise Smith, RN, BS, MS, CLNC, HACP-CMS

Denise Smith is Head of Consulting & a Senior Consultant with Courtemanche & Associates. In this role she is responsible for assessing healthcare organizational readiness for licensing, certification, accreditation, and regulatory compliance. She has extensive knowledge in the requirements of The Joint Commission, DNV, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services including knowledge in their survey process, auditing approach and survey outcome determination. She also has knowledge and experience in AAAHC and other regulatory and accreditation organizations. She assists organizations with survey preparation, educational needs, post survey activities, patient safety strategies and quality improvement initiatives. Denise has more than 40 years of experience and expertise in Infection Prevention, Sterile Processing, Legal Nurse Consulting, Quality and Resource Management, Clinical Education, in acute inpatient and outpatient care settings.

Denise Smith, Head of Consulting and Senior Consultant
Tri logos Sayas Alliance parent company and sub division companies.

C&A is a division of SAYAS Alliance. Through our sister company Medical Resources Network, we also offer a range of legal nurse consulting services, including medical record review and analysis, medical chronologies, peer review, retention of medical experts, and adverse event and call center management. Learn more.

Disclaimer: The information on this website is published in good faith for general information purposes only. This website does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability and accuracy of this information.

The Joint Commission® is a registered trademark of Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Courtemanche & Associates has no affiliation with this entity.

Courtemanche & Associates | (704)-573-4535 | Email: info@courtemanche-assocs.com

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