I’ve heard it said that the first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are. As the new executive director for the Long Term Care Accreditation Program, I’m planning on moving and shaking things up. I want our customers, stakeholders and consumers to view The Joint Commission as a collaborator in improving the quality of life for residents of long term care facilities. I look forward to meeting with many of you in the coming months to discuss what we can do for you in this regard.
Another change this year is that after more than 19 years as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, we have shortened our name to The Joint Commission. This reflects not only common usage, but common sense. The name change signifies that we are moving beyond a traditional approach into a wider range of accreditation and certification products.
Also, as noted in the article on this page, the e-mail addresses at The Joint Commission have changed. Mine is djohnson@jointcommission.org. You may contact me by e-mail or call me at (630) 792-5722 if you have any questions about our Long Term Care Accreditation Program.
Dale Johnson
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In January, The Joint Commission unveiled its new branding initiative with an abbreviated name and a newly redesigned logo. The logo graphic contains four colored triangles representing the four elements of the cycle for performance improvement (plan, do, study, act). The four triangles form an arrow pointing upward to reflect The Joint Commission’s commitment to continuous improvement. Other changes include:
- The name has been shortened from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations to The Joint Commission.
- New logos for The Joint Commission, Joint Commission Resources, Joint Commission International, and the International Center for Patient Safety.New Gold Seal of Approval™ and updated Publicity Kit.
- Website redesign.
- The “Jayco” extranet has been renamed “The Joint Commission Connect.” It is being redesigned and will launch in the second quarter of 2007.
- LTC Update redesign.
- E-mail extensions have changed to "@jointcommission.org"
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Dale Johnson has been named the new executive director of the Long Term Care Accreditation Program. Johnson most recently worked as the chief executive officer and chief financial officer for Kindred Healthcare, Ocala, Fla. He also has held positions at Universal Health Services, Chicago; Franciscan Communities, Chicago; and long term care, skilled nursing and acute care facilities in Michigan, North Carolina and Virginia. He holds a B.S. in Finance and Accounting from Purdue University and pursued advanced courses at Chicago Kent School of Law. LTC Update interviewed Johnson about the challenges that lay ahead.
What do you hope to accomplish as executive director?
I’m here at The Joint Commission to make a difference. The Joint Commission is in a unique position to effect change. The population is getting older, but they still want to maintain their quality of life. This is completely doable. I have this vision of a health care system where the patient moves from place to place within the system (acute care, rehab, assisted living) in a seamless transition, and all the components would be Joint Commission accredited.
What was your opinion of The Joint Commission before you took this position?
I didn’t see it as a collaborator, more of a gauge as to what my organization was doing and how it could do better.
What does the long term care industry think of the Joint Commission?
They see The Joint Commission as another hurdle to jump. I want to change that perception so that they view accreditation as a way to provide better resident care, which, in turn, will benefit their bottom line. I hate the phrase “let’s get ready for The Joint Commission.” You should always be ready because you’re doing a good job every single day.
How can you overcome this?
I want to break down the “imaginary” walls that exist between providers and The Joint Commission. I want long term care organizations to see us as working together on the same goal — improving the quality of resident care. We can accomplish this by doing a better job of explaining why a standard is a standard and speaking their language and not “Joint Commission-ese.”
How do consumers fit into this mix?
Consumers don’t realize that they can demand better quality care. The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval™ is a clear indicator of quality care, but too often consumers don’t understand what accreditation is. We have to do a better job of educating everyone, including consumers.
Johnson can be reached at djohnson@jointcommission.org or call him at (630)792-5722.
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Beginning March 1, 2007, information about Joint Commission scheduled events will now be posted at 7:30 a.m. in your organization’s local time zone on The Joint Commission Connect extranet. Customers will also notice that the text on the bottom of the notification page, as well as the letter of introduction, have been updated to list Linda Murphy-Knoll as interim vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations.
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The Joint Commission is seeking comprehensive, innovative and cost effective hand hygiene measurement methods that address adherence to hand hygiene guidelines as part of its Consensus Measurement in Hand Hygiene Project. The information will be published in a free monograph in 2008. Organizations are asked to include supporting documentation, such as published studies or summaries of results regarding the use of the method, as well as a sample of data in the manner it is displayed (i.e., charts or graphs). Examples may be submitted electronically, or by mail to Linda Kusek, Division of Research, The Joint Commission, One Renaissance Boulevard, Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., 60181, or via fax to (630) 792-4616.
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The Joint Commission conducts one-day unannounced surveys on a 5 percent random sample of organizations nine to 30 months following the accreditation date. During the survey, the surveyor assesses both fixed and variable components, or performance areas. The survey may lead to requirements for improvement and completion of evidence of standards compliance.
Variable components are specific to the organization being surveyed. In 2007, the fixed components of random unannounced surveys are the applicable National Patient Safety Goals and the three most important Priority Focus Areas for each accreditation program. This year, the fixed components for long term care organizations are:
- Resident Safety
- Assessment and Care/Service
- Medication Management
Questions about random unannounced surveys should be directed to Kevin Hickey, director, Management Support Unit, at khickey@jointcommission.org or by calling (630) 792-5872.
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The Joint Commission collects data on compliance with Joint Commission standards and National Patient Safety Goals to identify trends and focus education on challenging requirements. Organizations can use this information to benchmark their performance and use the data to determine if the processes meet requirements. The top areas out of compliance from January through July 2006 were:
Long Term Care
- National Patient Safety Goal 2 (48%) Improve the effectiveness of communication among caregivers.
- HR.4.10 (32%) There is a process for ensuring the competence of all practitioners permitted by law and the organization to practice independently.
- MM.2.20 (25%) Medications are properly and safely stored.
- HR.1.30 (23%) The organization uses data from clinical/service screening indicators and human resource screening indicators to assess and continuously improve staffing effectiveness.
- EC.9.10 (19%) The organization monitors conditions in the environment.
Medicare/Medicaid Certification-Based Long Term Care
- HR.4.10 (40%) There is a process for ensuring the competence of all practitioners permitted by law and the organization to practice independently.
- National Patient Safety Goal 2 (34%) Improve the effectiveness of communication among caregivers.
- HR.1.30 (27%) The organization uses data from clinical/service screening indicators and human resource screening indicators to assess and continuously improve staffing effectiveness.
- HR.4.50 (24%) Clinical privileges and appointments/reappointments are reviewed and revised at least every two years.
- EC.4.10 (18%) The organization addresses emergency management.
For more information, visit the Joint Commission website. If your question is not addressed, contact the Standards Interpretation Group through its online question form or by calling (630) 792-5900.
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RESOURCES
For information or to order products from Joint Commission Resources, Inc., go to www.jcrinc.com/Infomart.htm or call (877) 223-6866, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., CT.
Education2007 Long Term Care Audio Conferences
Audio conferences, held from 11:30 to 1 p.m., CT, include a presentation and a Q&A session. The next one is:
You can also purchase tapes of previous conferences on:
- The 2007 NPSGs
- Challenging standards in long term care
Publications
NEW! 2007 Accreditation Process Guide for Long Term Care
Includes tips on writing plans of action and measures of success and conducting sample tracers to address priority focus areas and clinical service groups; and a handy compliance assessment checklist to help you get the most out of your periodic performance review, note corrective actions needed, and identify areas in which measures of success are necessary.
Order code: APLT07SJ, $119
Credentials Review and Privileging for Long Term Care eBook
Explains Joint Commission credentials review and privileging standards and expectations specific to long term care. It also describes problems surveyors commonly encounter and offers strategies for improvement.
Order code: EB05CRSJ, $20
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- Long Term Care Accreditation (630) 792-5277
- Standards Interpretation Group (630) 792-5900
- Long Term Care Account Rep (630) 792-3007
- Customer Service (630) 792-5800
- Pricing Unit (630) 792-5115
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