The Joint Commission elevates health equity to National Patient Safety Goal

The COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) is now extended. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra issued the renewal on January 11. The typically 90-day extension would then last through April 11, 2023.

Since launching, wait times to speak to a counselor and abandoned calls have decreased.

The Joint Commission—which last year issued new hospital Leadership standards to encourage health equity, effective January 1, 2023—has now elevated health equity to a National Patient Safety Goal.

This may feel like more of a public service announcement, but, if we’ve learned nothing else over the last 3-ish years, it's that sometimes the impact(s) of events can take on rather interesting twists and turns. Certainly, if any of the folks in the audience have to fly with any frequency, this would be of interest, but hopefully, as folks get to attend conferences and educational sessions outside of their organizations, this will also be useful.

Don’t miss your chance to be heard! To help us ensure that we continue to deliver a solution that best meets the needs of our valued customers like you, we hope that you can spare 5-10 minutes to complete our 2023 Accreditation and Quality Compliance Center Member Survey.

Look for the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) to continue collaborating with hospitals and other healthcare providers to improve patient safety through accreditation and certification, says its new vice president. Also expect continuing updates to standards to align with new and revised CMS Conditions of Participation (CoP).

Two of the top problems facing healthcare security now are hiring qualified officers and ensuring sufficient training in de-escalation skills, says William S. Marcisz, JD, CPP, CHPA, president and chief consultant for Orlando, Florida–based Strategic Security Management Consulting.

Though strides have been made, there are still cases of patients getting the wrong drug or the wrong dose of medication. The FDA receives over 100,000 reported cases of medication errors each year, and the CDC reports that approximately 1.3 million emergency department visits and 350,000 hospitalizations occur each year due to adverse drug events (ADE).

When the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was launched nationally in July 2022, many viewed it as a huge step forward in mental healthcare. However, since its rollout, some have taken to social media to decry the Lifeline, claiming potential abuses of patient rights. And those unsure of what’s true or false will be looking to healthcare providers for answers.