Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program

OIG Report Evaluates Adverse Event Reporting Methods in Hospitals

Mon, 8 Mar 2010 11:21:39 -0600

A report by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) finds that reviewing medical records made by nurses and physicians may be the most effective way to monitor the occurrence of adverse events in hospitals. The report, titled Adverse Events in Hospitals: Methods for Identifying Events, implemented five screening methods to a random sample of 278 Medicare beneficiary hospitals over a 2-week period in 2008. The case study was performed in accordance with the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, which requires OIG to publish regular reports on efforts to better identify adverse medical events. The five methods employed in the case study were: - Nurse reviews of medical records; - Interviews of Medicare beneficiaries; -Two types of billing data analysis; and - Reviews of internal hospital incident reports. Each flagged event identified using one of the above methods was later reviewed by physicians. OIG determined that the most effective screening method was the nurse review, which identified the most adverse events. OIG has recommended that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) continue to research methods for identifying adverse events in the review of medical records. To read the full report, click here: http://www.oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-06-08-00221.pdf.

Mechanical Ventilators In US Acute Care Hospitals

Tue, 2 Mar 2010 08:32:40 -0600

Mechanical Ventilators In US Acute Care Hospitals a study funded by HHS. As a part of the response to 2009 H1N1 flu this year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Office of Preparedness and Emergency Operations partnered with the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) to conduct a comprehensive inventory of the total number and types of mechanical ventilators in every U.S. hospital. That survey has been completed and summarized in an article Mechanical Ventilators in the US Acute Care Hospitals. The results may be of interest to your facility. The link to the study summary is listed here for your convenience: http://www/hhs/gov/disasters/discussion/planners/mechanicalvent.html. Be aware that the study will take some time to load on your computer.

HFAP Listed Among Top 20 Companies Hospitals Should Know

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:57:21 -0600

In a recent article published by Hospital Review Magazine, HFAP is listed as one of 20 companies that hospitals should know!

2009 Clinical Laboratory Standards Manual Now Available!!

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:30:03 -0600

The newest version of the Clinical Laboratory standards manual is available for purchase.

HFAP Participating in Modern Healthcare Webinar on Patient Safety Wednesday, December 9, 2009 10:00am CST / 11:00am EST

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 14:20:18 -0600

Attend this 60-minute editorial webcast to find out if the healthcare industry is any safer now, along with: -What has happened in the decade since the report’s landmark release -Some of the barriers to improving healthcare safety -Strategies and technologies that hold promise to make care safer

HFAP Standards – NQF Safe Practices Crosswalk 2009

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:02:20 -0500

The HFAP has cross-walked Acute Care and Critical Access Hospital standards to the 2009 update of NQF’s Safe Practices.

Standards 12.01.10 – Communication to the Patient of an Adverse Event & 12.01.11 – Support of Caregivers (New)

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:01:31 -0500

These new standards have been added to the Acute Care Manual and the Critical Access Manual

Standard 25.00.00 – Pharmaceutical Services (Update)

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:00:28 -0500

This updated standard has been added to the Acute Care Manual and the Critical Access Manual

Standard 16.02.02 – Patients at Risk (Update)

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:59:36 -0500

This updated standard has been added to the Acute Care Manual and the Critical Access Manual

Standard 12.00.23 – Adverse Event Reporting (New)

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:59:00 -0500

This new standard has been added to the Acute Care Manual and the Critical Access Manual

Standard 15.07.15 – Glycemic Control (New)

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:58:00 -0500

This new standard has been added to the Acute Care Manual and the Critical Access Manual

You Have a Choice in Accreditation Organizations

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:56:59 -0500

Why would a hospital use HFAP instead of the alternatives? What we hear over and over from leaders of hospitals accredited by HFAP is that the survey process is “user friendly and non-punitive.” Standards are realistic, understandable, measurable, beneficial and achievable.

HFAP Adopts National Quality forum's 34 Safe Practices

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:56:02 -0500

Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) has adopted the 34 safe practices endorsed by the National Quality Forum (NQF), to be implemented by HFAP accredited hospitals effective Dec. 1, 2009.

Acute Care & Critical Access Hospitals Manuals Updated - Discharge Standards: 15.06.16 thru 15.06.18

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:40:29 -0500

Three standards relating to patient discharge activities have been approved for use in the 2009 Accreditation Requirements for Healthcare Facilities manual and the 2008 Accreditation Requirements for Critical Access Hospitals.

Please insert these standards into your manual, after 15.06.15.

These standards will be evaluated during HFAP surveys, effective immediately, but actual scoring will not take place until Sept. 1, 2010.

New HFAP Standards to Improve Patient Safety at Hospital Discharge

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:34:02 -0500

The new patient safety standards related to hospital discharges will be evaluated during HFAP surveys, effective immediately, but actual scoring will not take place until Sept. 1, 2010.

Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) Receives Renewed Authority to Accredit Hospitals

Fri, 4 Sep 2009 07:54:46 -0500

The Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) received continued approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to accredit hospitals under Medicare.

Hospitals Open Door Forum on H1N1 Healthcare System Preparedness & Response

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:34:04 -0500

Did you miss the Information Exchange with HHS on H1N1 Healthcare System Preparedness and Response on August 20? You can still listen to the exchange using the Encore feature. Dial 800-642-1687, conference identification is H1N1. Also you can continue to send questions and comment to H1N1.listening@hhs.gov While questions cannot be answered individually, these questions will help shape the content and subject matter of the next call, scheduled for September 14.

2009 Acute Manual Update to Standard 24.01.09

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:43:51 -0500

Food Temperature Danger Zone temperatures has been updated to accurately reflect the US Food & Drug Administration's "2005 Food Code" for the US Department of Health and Human Services.

CMS Mandated Changes in Accreditation Process

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:37:04 -0500

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has required a change to the existing HFAP survey process for accreditation, as of May 8, 2009. HFAP is making this change as a component of our deeming authority responsibility. This new process is effective, beginning with all facilities which have been surveyed as of May 8, 2009 and later.

Important Notice - Influenza A (H1N1):

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:27:21 -0500

Important Notice - Influenza A (H1N1): WHO Checklist For Treating Patients A new Patient Care Checklist for Influenza A (H1N1) has been developed by WHO for use by hospitals worldwide for the treatment of suspected or confirmed cases of this new virus. You can download via this link. HFAP endorses and encourages all of our customers to consider using this standardized tool. An updated version of this tool is forthcoming ~~ we will keep you posted as the checklist evolves!