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Joint Commission standards require the organized medical staff oversee the quality of care, treatment, and services rendered by physicians and other licensed independent practitioners. This includes monitoring the quality of services provided by hospital-based practitioners such as radiologists and pathologists.
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It's not uncommon for hospitals to receive requirements for improvements (RFIs) after a Joint Commission survey. What is surprising is that in May, Boston-based Massachusetts General Hospital chose to share this information publicly — not just its accreditation status, but its complete survey results.
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At Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center in Houston, quality professionals are well aware of the importance of getting an outside perspective. "When you are in the midst of the forest, you can't see some of the processes that have become a habit to you," says Angela Lenox, the hospital's peer review manager.
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Beginning July 2, hospitals must begin a new process of notifying Medicare beneficiaries of their discharge appeal rights.
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A two-pronged initiative under way at Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento, CA, aims to provide interim housing for homeless patients who need home support services or assistance with medications as well as reduce the use of the hospital emergency departments (EDs) for primary care among homeless patients.
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In the wake of a first-of-its-kind settlement regarding the discharge of a homeless woman by a Kaiser Permanente hospital in Southern California, indications are that the disturbing issues it aims to address are far from unique.
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Previously, patients diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia were to receive antibiotic administration within four hours of presentation. Now, The Joint Commission standards call for antibiotic administration within six hours.
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After a baby was nursed by the wrong mother at Immanuel St. Joseph's Mayo Health System in Mankato, MN, the family members involved were understandably very upset and very vocal. They alerted the news media, which reported on the incident, and staff were educated about processes to ensure this would not occur again.
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Silicone breast implants are now available for cosmetic purposes after a long hiatus, and chances are good that surgeons are using them in your operating rooms.
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A comprehensive program of education and changes in procedures has virtually eliminated falls at a surgery center in California.