lots of info here: from [color=#0000ee]home care bulletin, issue 2, 2005

hot off the press

top five challenging standards

here are the top five standards scored not compliant for home care organizations in 2004, and tips to help you meet those standards in 2005. see the complete list in the april issue of joint commission perspectives.

ec.4.10 emergency management

identify and assess potential vulnerabilities within your organization with respect to weather, community emergencies, utilities, communication and the direct or indirect effect these emergencies may have on your organization's operations and demand for services. what are your potential barriers to providing care?

im.3.10 information management

ensure that information is accessible. relying on manual or written information may make timely retrieval difficult. do you have an effective back up system?

pc.5.20 care, treatment and services

is care provided in accordance with the most recent order or prescription? make sure that the plan of care reflects the most recent order from the physician or licensed independent practitioner according to law and regulation.

hr.3.10 job competence

assess competence on an ongoing basis. keep a file on staff members into which you outinely place notes from patients, awards, and notes about problems and how they were resolved. use these to help complete the formal evaluation. if you have staff demonstrate job competence by having them perform a series of tasks, make sure the tasks are meaningful. also, if new equipment is added or policies change, assess staff competency based on these changes.

im.6.20 patient-specific information in record

make sure that the patient record contains specific information pertinent to the care, treatment and services being provided to that patient. this should include, but is not limited to, medications, allergies, therapies and records of communication with the patient. documentation issues can be a problem; consider using triplicate forms and leaving one copy with the patient or having your field staff fax in a temporary copy until they can turn in the real one.

the joint commission recently announced its 2006 national patient safety goals (npsgs) that will apply specifically to its accredited home care organizations

the goals and associated requirements, approved by the joint commission's board of commissioners at its may 20-22 meeting, include six of the 2005 goals and add one new expectation.

the new goal and associated requirement is: encourage the active involvement of patients and their families in the patient's care as a patient safety strategy.

define and communicate the means for patients and their families to report concerns about safety and encourage them to do so.

view the complete list of the 2006 npsgs.

THanks you always post helpful things. renerian