Part 2 of change on the Horizon focuses on the facility design and environmental controls for Sterile Compounding Area (SCA), including microbiological air and surface sampling, cleaning and disinfection of the compounding areas, along with the Certification and Recertification requirements.

 

Overall, the cleanroom suite should be maintained at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius or cooler and a relative humidity of below 60% in order to minimize the potential for microbial growth. Humidity and temperature recordings must be documented daily. If your organization utilizes a continuous recording device, the results of the monitoring must be retrievable. Free standing air conditioners, heating devices and/or humidifiers are not permitted within the classified area or the perimeter of the SCA. Devices used to monitor the temperature and humidity must be recalibrated every 12 months or in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for the device.  Read More 

 

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) established the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP) in 2012. The HRRP is a Medicare value-based purchasing program that reduces payments to hospitals with risk adjusted readmission rates beyond expectations. The overall rate of unplanned readmission after discharge from the hospital (also called "hospital-wide readmission") focuses on whether patients who were discharged from a hospital stay were hospitalized again within 30 days. The idea was that the overall rate of unplanned readmission would show whether a hospital is doing its best to prevent complications, provide clear discharge instructions to patients, and help ensure patients make a smooth transition to their home or next level of care. Read More

We are delighted to introduce two new consultants at Courtemanche & Associates. Please welcome Sherri Aleksejczyk, RN, CNOR, HACP and Carol Mooney, RN, MSN, CPHQ. Both professionals join us with far-reaching healthcare regulatory experience and consulting expertise.

 

Sherri has extensive experience in assessing healthcare organization's readiness for licensing, accreditation and regulatory compliance. She is a Registered Nurse and her practice ranges from hospital to ambulatory services, and from education to perioperative services. In addition, she has worked with organizations implementing Just Culture, High-Reliability approaches and numerous Patient Safety strategies. 

Read more about Sherri  

 

Carol Mooney joins us, not only with a background in consulting, but also in standards development and interpretation for the Joint Commission and CMS. She also has a clinical background in Home Health, Hospitals, Long Term Care, Behavioral Health and Disease Specific Certification. Her extensive background in accreditation and regulatory matters makes her a valuable and knowledgeable resource for clients who are currently involved or new to regulatory and accreditation processes and procedures.

Read more about Carol

Sherri and Carol both bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in all phases of healthcare including assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation and the development of sustainable approaches to meet client needs for patient safety.

 

 

Join Courtemanche & Associates at the NAHQ NEXT Conference September 16-17, 2019 in Phoenix!

Stop by our booth, #419 to chat with our team.  

 

 Register to win $100 Visa Gift Card!

 

Hot topics addressed so far this year: Suicide Risk Identification & Mitigation Contracting Care Services Moderate Sedation Victim Abuse Pain Management Fire & Life Safety Management High Level Disinfection Modified Early Warning System (MEWS)

 

September's tips and tools will focus on Patient Rights and the Management of Complaints and Grievances.

 

Join your industry colleagues that are enjoying C_APPS.