In the News This Month
Many of our communities have encountered a variety of emergencies this year which have added extra burden to our healthcare organizations. While The Joint Commission Emergency Management Standards have existed for many years, this year revisions to the Emergency Management Chapter were put into effect. Our feature article, "Understanding the Emergency Management After Action Report" examines these updated requirements.
Also, included this month is our article about Pet Therapy, a very effective and popular service being used more frequently in healthcare settings. While these programs offer immense patient and staff benefits, animals also have potential to cause a multitude of safety risks. Denise's informative outline provides helpful tips on what your organization can do to offer a successful and safe program.
Understanding the Emergency Management After Action Report
About the Author
Patricia Cook, B.S., R.Ph, HACP, GRCP
Pat Cook is a Senior Consultant and Head of Consulting Services at Courtemanche & Associates. Working in collaboration with the C&A Leaders, Pat manages Courtemanche & Associate’s business development initiatives and oversees the clinical delivery of services and support. With her extensive healthcare experience, Pat serves as a knowledgeable resource to new and existing clients, helping to guide them through their accreditation and regulatory needs.

What You Need to Know About Pet Therapy
About the Author
Joseph Esch, MBA CHFM
Joseph Esch is a Life safety surveyor and consultant. He is trained under the HFAP Acute Care and Critical Access Hospital requirements, as well as The Joint Commission accreditation requirements for the physical environment, fire safety, Life Safety Code®, and Emergency Management chapters. Joseph has 14 years in healthcare, his primary focus is the operations, plant and the physical environment. He has assisted in the planning and initial startup of facility programs in several acute care facilities, including the implementation of CMMS, compliance program, capital forecasting, and facility condition indexing and has been chairman of the EOC committee. He currently holds a Certified Healthcare Facility Manager certification issued by the American Hospital association in 2015 and is a member of the American Society of Healthcare Engineers and the local chapter of Chesapeake Area for Healthcare Engineers.

C_APPS 2021
Fresh from the Field
Our C_APPS membership provides monthly offerings January through November including regulatory & accreditation tools, resources, tracers, policy checklists, and other key aids to facilitate ongoing success with changing expectations.
Patient Visitation
October Focus
Patient Visitation
This month's package includes:
- Sample Patient Visitation Policy
- Sample Decision Grid
C_Apps Resources & Tools
C_APPS is an Exclusive Membership Service resource developed by Courtemanche & Associates that provides monthly offerings of regulatory and accreditation tools, resources, tracers, policy checklists or other key aids to facilitate ongoing success with changing expectations.
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.