Accreditation Audit Task 1

Preparing for The Joint Commission, Nightingale Community Hospital reviews areas of compliance and non-compliance. A periodic performance review, which is a self-evaluation, is utilized by Nightingale Community Hospital, to prepare for The Joint Commission. The Joint Commission has eighteen accreditation requirements. (Commission, 2013) The periodic performance review found the hospital to be compliant and non- compliant in the following areas:

In accordance with this the hospital makes sure we follow guidelines laid down by Joint commission Standards. The compliance includes four areas…Information management, Infection control, Communication and Medication Management. The Goal here is patient safety and providing patients with safe and effective care of the highest quality and value.

One of the goals of the clinic should be in improving the process flow up to the point that the actual scan will take place. The clinic must also eliminate much of the variability and uncertainties in the scanning process which is ultimately making the process difficult to manage. The uncertainties negatively affect work

Nightingale Hospital complying with Joint Commission’s is not occurring. The Universal Protocols (UP) met on some months and not on others. The Time-Out Hospital Wide UP looks like hospital was increase in compliance over the year and reached the one hundred percent make until December. This protocol should be preform at every surgery or minor procedure (where necessary) according to hospital policy in which involves laterality. The National Patient Safety Goal Data (NPSG) for communication in Hospital Wide Compliance of Reporting Critical Results within sixty minutes met one hundred percent, zero

The Joint Commission is scheduled to visit Nightingale Community Hospital for its triennial accreditation survey within the next 13 months. The purpose of this document is to provide senior leadership with an outline of the hospital’s current compliance status in the Priority Focus Area of Communication. Recommendations for corrective action are included in this document which are designed to bring the organization into full compliance in the areas where deficits have been identified.

Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people

The Joint Commission defines the Periodic Performance Review as an assessment tool created to assist health organizations improve and monitor their performance throughout the year. This tool focuses on the processes that influence patient care and safety while providing the structure for unremitting standards fulfillment. Nightingale Community Hospital is compliant with most standards as set forth by the Joint Commission. However, upon inspection and in an effort to stay focused on compliance, our standards committee has located a few discrepancies that must be resolved to maintain our accreditation with the Joint Commission.

a. Have all employees sign an acknowledgement form that they understand the new policy and corresponding procedures, and received training within 14 days of establishment of the new policy

Communication, this is the key focus area that is evaluated in this summary. Communication is a key focus area of the joint commission audit and is also a key area in which Nightingale Community can make enhancements. Communications must be a two way free flow of information. The information exchanges occur between providers, staff, and patients or clients. This was an area that needed improvement was noted in the previous accreditation audit. Some noted prior issues from 2 years ago included patient and family education and information not being properly disseminated to the nursing staff. These are areas where we have targeted and currently meet. Some areas that we continue to work on are as follows.

Nightingale Community Hospital is a 180-bed acute care hospital that is a not-for profit entity. The hospital is community based and provides leadership in quality health services in which they provide. Their vision is to be the hospital that people choose, the place employees, physicians and volunteers want to work and a hospital of choice for the community. They are committed to providing a healing environment to their patients with a compassionate commitment to healthcare excellence.

5. The Patient Safety Officer will train the risk assessment team members on the proactive risk assessment process and how to conduct a proactive risk assessment, including the assessment of risk, itself.

Use at least two patient identifiers when providing care. Double checking of ID bands and ID/Driver’s license of patient if possible. Using labels to mark all materials /items needed for the procedures. A two person check off procedure must be implemented. Items requiring labeling include: patient records, signed consents, and all assessments, diagnostic tests and x-rays. Also included should be any item that is needed for the procedure (blood products, devices, and equipment). Using a matching system, so that all items in the procedure area are matched to the patient. The matching system must be completed by a minimum of two staff members. These staff members should include a qualified staff member, nursing staff involved in the procedure, recovery room staff, and discharge staff.

Nightingale Community Hospital (NCH) has thirteen months until their next Joint Commission audit. This report will evaluate Nightingale Hospital’s compliance in The Priority Focus Area of Communication using the Universal Protocol Standards from the Joint Commission Handbook. “The Universal Protocol was created to address the continuing occurrence of wrong site, wrong procedure and wrong person surgery and other procedures in Joint Commission accredited organizations” (Joint Commission, 2013).

This pathway gives staff structure, support and professional integrity. Additionally, The Royal College of nursing, SCIE, and primary care trusts are all involved in the development of protocols and guidelines. This does however indicate that no service users are involved in the creation process, possibly resulting in service and organisational focused guidelines. Successfully implementing protocols has its barriers. The Open University, (K101 Introduction to Health and Social Care, Resources, 2014) highlights several problematic factors including, limited resources, staff shortages and equipment and medical supply problems. However, once implemented successfully these policies may help to manage risk, control budgets and reduce litigation.

Nightingale Community Hospital provides professional care that ensures total security and satisfaction to those who wish to benefit from our care.