JACHO is a JOKE

AMEN !!!!!

I'd agree that JCAHO is a JOKO and that should become their name--permanent like

I sent the following letter to customer service in Feb. '08 and got a prompt reply that they would forward my letter to the appropriate division...and that was the last I heard from them.

Could someone tell me where I went wrong?

Dear sir or madam;

I am a Bachelor of Science nurse working towards an advanced practice license as a mental health nurse practitioner and I am curious about your organization. I no longer work at the bedside, but I am familiar with some of the history of changes brought on by JCAHO. I am writing to gain some further insight on the thought process that goes into making those changes.

Are the mandates or "initiatives" passed by JCAHO, resulting in changes to the way health care is managed, delivered and documented, based on empirical based research? For example, if you recall the landmark minimum ratio bill passed in California, the logic for the law was based on empirical research. If decisions are not based on empirical research, what information does the Commission use to determine what changes need to happen to improve the safety and qualtiy of patient care (e.g., hospital administration feedback, review of patient charts, patient feedback, etc.)?

Speaking of ratios, as an aside, is JCAHO planning on setting forth a minimum ratio initiative? Thousands of nurses, like myself, have moved away from providing bedside care due to current conditions, consequently perpetuating the current "nursing shortage." Undoubtedly, starting a safe staffing initiative would be a groundbreaking move for the Commission to undertake, but it would also be a step in the right direction for improving patient care.

Regards,

This post inspired me to look around on the JACHO website and I found this address by the president of JACHO to the IOM quite interesting (see below). At the very least it shows they are concerned about the topic of ratios but do present the problem of a one size fits all model not being appropriate. To summarize they point out that their method of assessing the efficacy of staff can be used with a model that may later be developed for staffing ratios. Acuity needs to be assessed so time can be managed appropriately for nursing staff, this is unquestionable but the methods are unclear. This address is from 2002, which leaves me curious to what the current research has to say on this topic and if it has changed their stance on this issue. I'm not knowledgeable enough about JACHO to pass judgement, but I would like to hear from someone familiar with the issues and how they relate to JACHO's current status.

Click here for the address.

I can empathize with floor nurses since JACHO must often just seem like another frustrating nuisance to deal with in an already stressful day. My suggestion is to try and get a broader view then that of your colleagues and friends before passing judgement. Additionally, for those nurses that have a broader perspective and still hold negative views of JACHO I would like to hear your comments.

I'll continue searching on the JACHO website and post any other interesting tidbits I find for those that are interested.

-Just a student who is trying to figure out this crazy thing called healthcare

I just know that JOKO, JCAHO or whoever you want to call them have just landed in my facility for their so called 'unannounced visit' and are driving me bananas. Doors locked, can't find medications, the whole darned experience is very inconvienent. Send them to the wolves...they do nothing but make our lives more difficult, anyhow.

We are no longer allowed to have soiled linen carts in the hallways because the hallways have to be clear of any obstruction (supposedly a JACHO rule). So now we are forced to carry wet, soiled, stinky linens through the hallways to the soiled utility room. Once I get to the soiled utility room I must open the door with one of the gloved hands I used to carry the linens.

So, I'm transporting bodily fluid through the unit and smearing the germies on the door handle. Of course I hold the bundle away from my body, so I don't contaminate my scrubs, not using good body mechanics.

What is wrong with this picture?

We are no longer allowed to have soiled linen carts in the hallways because the hallways have to be clear of any obstruction (supposedly a JACHO rule). So now we are forced to carry wet, soiled, stinky linens through the hallways to the soiled utility room. Once I get to the soiled utility room I must open the door with one of the gloved hands I used to carry the linens.

So, I'm transporting bodily fluid through the unit and smearing the germies on the door handle. Of course I hold the bundle away from my body, so I don't contaminate my scrubs, not using good body mechanics.

What is wrong with this picture?

Aren't you supposed to use a linen bag when transporting dirty linens? Isn't that a JACHO rule...or maybe it's an OSHA thing?

So now we are forced to carry wet, soiled, stinky linens through the hallways to the soiled utility room. Once I get to the soiled utility room I must open the door with one of the gloved hands I used to carry the linens.

It is also a JCAHO violation to wear gloves outside a patient's room :chuckle:chuckle:chuckle

Aren't you supposed to use a linen bag when transporting dirty linens? Isn't that a JACHO rule...or maybe it's an OSHA thing?

I try to bring a bag most of the time if I know I'm going to need it. Was much more convenient to have a cart outside the room (or inside). Maybe I need to carry a linen bag in my scrub pocket . It seems many of the arbitrary rules only make our jobs more difficult.

We are no longer allowed to have soiled linen carts in the hallways because the hallways have to be clear of any obstruction (supposedly a JACHO rule). So now we are forced to carry wet, soiled, stinky linens through the hallways to the soiled utility room. Once I get to the soiled utility room I must open the door with one of the gloved hands I used to carry the linens.

So, I'm transporting bodily fluid through the unit and smearing the germies on the door handle. Of course I hold the bundle away from my body, so I don't contaminate my scrubs, not using good body mechanics.

What is wrong with this picture?

Same here. Only we arent allowed to wear gloves out of a room. We have to put linens into a big blue bag and take it to the soiled linen room. It so inconvenient and messy. We can never find the stupid bags and are forced to carry them thru the hallway.

Does anyone know if JCAHO has a problem with COWS (computers on wheels), as I imagine nurses leave them in the hall occasionally rather than drag them around continually?

JACHO has a problem w/ a number of things depending on who the examiner is, what way the wind is blowing, and what's for lunch in the cafeteria. You know..inconsistent in what they see and feels is a area for improvement. I agree. a big joke and an even bigger money pit.