The Joint Commission- A Non Profit Organization

1. The Joint Commission and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality developed standards and recommendations for healthcare organizations to employ in an effort to reduce the number of errors. In a few sentences, please discuss one recommendation.

The Joint Commission is a self-governing, nonprofitmaking organization that accredits and certifies over 21, 000 health care organizations, hospital, and programs in the United States. The body was formed in 1951. Since its creation, the organization has been working relentlessly to augment healthcare for the people of U.S. and have continued inspiring healthcare organizations with an aim to promote and advocate for quality as well as value in the healthcare ("About The Joint Commission | Joint Commission," 2016). Joint Commission creates performance standards for certification and accreditation programs that healthcare organizations and hospital facilities are demanded to pass to get accreditation from the body. These standards are

You may ask, what is Joint Commission? I know I asked myself the same question. Well the Joint Commission is an independent non-profit organization that develops performance standards that address crucial elements of operation, such as patient care, medication safety, infection control and consumer rights. There are over 20,500 health care organizations and programs that the Joint Commission accredits and certifies in the United States

The standards of the Joint Commission are a foundation for an objective evaluation process the may help healthcare organizations measure, assess and improve performance. These standards are focused on organizational functions that are key for providing safe high quality care services. The Joint Commission’s standards set goal expectations of reasonable, achievable and surveyable performance of an organization. Only new standards that are relative to patient safety or care quality, have positive impact on healthcare outcomes, and can be accurately measured are added. Input from healthcare professionals, providers, experts, consumers and government agencies develop these standards.

The joint commission states that the videotaping of patients is allowed only when informed consent has been given and signed. There are extenuating circumstances that fall out of this spectrum, namely when a patient is unable to sign a consent form. In some respects video monitoring a patient could prove beneficial in saving their life as well as other individual's lives. A hospital then may video a patient only in scenarios that involve life threatening aspects. Other than this type of patient, any videotaping must be made aware to the patient and his approved by her/him. A confidentiality form must also be signed educating the patient on the uses of the tape and who will be viewing it.

For health care providers to deliver the best holistic care that patients deserve, a thorough spiritual assessment must be included during their care. With more research showing a relationship between supporting a patient’s spirituality with their health and ability to cope with illness, it is now a requirement of organizations to include a spiritual assessment to maintain accreditation with The Joint Commission. The minimum required of a spiritual assessment by The Joint Commission is to determine the patient’s religion and

Spirituality is a delicate topic, and some may not be open to talking about their beliefs. Spirituality is generally understood to be an essential aspect of being human (Lyndo-Lam, 2012). Assessing the spiritual needs of patients is a key component in the nursing process. A compassionate and thoughtful nurse can make a patient feel more secure, making it easier for him to express his spirituality. The participation of both patient and health care provider is vital in promoting spiritual health. The main focus of a spiritual assessment is to gather information regarding the patient’s spiritual needs in order incorporate them into the plan of care, so as to treat

The author’s intent for this book is to make available a reliable source of information for caregivers of the seriously ill. Dr. Walton discussed the physical and emotional needs of patients and caregivers. He made available information that will be valuable to, what he terms Spiritual Care Providers, whether highly trained professionals or Christian laypersons.

Spirituality is considered one of the components of health and wellness, and is a contributory factor in the delivery of holistic care (O’Shea, Wallace, Griffin, & Fitzpatrick, 2011). It only makes sense for us nurses to study and research spirituality since the nursing profession is committed to holistic development, which includes the spiritual dimension of life. However, elements such as time constraints, short staffing, insufficient formal education related to spiritual assessment and confusion between spirituality and religion have led to spirituality becoming a disregarded component of care (O’Shea et al., 2011). Adolescence is a crucial time in the development of a person’s spiritual path (Benson & Roehlkepartain, 2008). Findings showed that most adolescents hold spiritual or religious beliefs already and choose to draw on them when experiencing life-changing events. Despite this information, healthcare professionals overlook the spiritual needs of adolescents (Neuman, 2011).

When thinking about end of life care the research must encompass levels that are substantial for the entire family as a whole. The purpose of this study is to examine if counselors-in-training (CIT) are receiving proper teaching on the topic of discussing or integrating spirituality into practice. The research will help counselors, supervisors, and trainees who work in palliative/hospice care or areas that are more likely to experience secondhand trauma and compassion fatigue.

Catholic Health Care differs immensely from traditional healthcare practices in how it approaches the human condition with the intention to treat the soul, as well as providing spiritual services through pastoral care departments. With the incorporation of Catholicism in the workplace, health care providers are expected to “respect the human dignity and eternal destiny of all”(Directives). Furthermore, Catholic health care is inspired and driven by sacred scripture, such as “I was ill and you cared for me”(Mt 25:36). As a result, in order to extend to the spiritual nature of the person, medical expertise are combined with other forms of care to properly treat the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of the human person.

Spiritual care is a significant concept for nurses to provide holistic care to patients. By understanding patient’s spiritual worldviews, health care professionals determine if patients have any unsolved spiritual concerns and needs.

Nurses attempt to provide patients with holistic care, including spiritual care. According to the article, “ICU Nurses’ Perceptions and Practice of Spiritual Care at the End of Life: Implications for Policy Change,” there are evidences suggesting that provision of spiritual care has a positive impact on patients coping with illness, and for a better quality of life. Spiritual practices has also

Nurses that listen to their patients, not only notice that they are physically hurt, but they can also notice their emotional wounds. The empathy of knowing that the patient is emotionally hurt is part of the spirituality connection. Therefore, they might need comfort. O’Brien (2001) states that, “ No other profession provides the opportunity to touch and be touched by the human spirit as does the practice of nursing. It is this intimacy that calls us to reverence: reverence for God as our creator and Lord…” (pg.110). Nurses have the privilege to connect with people in ways that no other profession may be able to provide. Since nurses are patients advocate, our duty is to connect them with their spiritual beliefs and

Religion and Spiritual concepts are more frequently being used in therapeutic settings. Previously these concepts were isolated, or left unspoken. To maintain the integrity of the patient and clients