The Provision of Quality Health Care to Americans - Essay Example

College

The Joint Commission Changes and their Effects on Hospitals

The Joint Commission ascertains the provision of quality health care to Americans. Particularly, the commission develops strategies for ensuring that hospitals can meet the accreditation standards. The Joint Commission takes measures to inspire hospitals to establish better systems of providing care by providing fundamental clinical standards (Grachek, 2004). Over the years, the Joint Commission has proven its effectiveness in ensuring that hospitals exhibit a measure of accountability in the manner in which they provide health care services. In recent years, the Joint Commission has introduced changes that seek to transform hospitals into high-reliability centers that register limited numbers of medical errors and adverse events. The Joint Commission has been cognizant of the need to introduce changes that will empower hospitals to register increased efficiency in service delivery (Moffett & Bohara, 2005). Through various processes, the Joint Commission ensures that hospitals embark on a process of improvement that is likely to register new positive patient outcomes. The hospitals must exhibit compliance to the existing standards put in place to promote sustainability in the healthcare sector. The Joint Commission has been keen to identify existing setbacks and risks that affect the ability of hospitals to register the expected outcomes. As a result, the Joint Commission emphasizes the need for implementing effective systems that reduce such risks. This paper will delve into the recent changes that the Joint Commission has introduced and highlight the potential impacts of such modifications as well as their relevance to hospitals today.

Background Information on the Role of the Joint Commission

The Joint Commission represents the recognized body that carries out regulation of hospitals in the United States. The Joint Commission is one of the oldest accrediting bodies in the United States. Since 1951, the Joint Commission has been working with different stakeholders to promote the quality of healthcare delivered to the public. Specifically, the Joint Commission takes up the responsibility of evaluating hospitals and determining their level of commitment to meeting the required standards of quality healthcare delivery (VanAmringe, 2014). The Joint Commission serves as an independent body that sets multiple standards that govern service delivery in hospitals. Over the years, the Joint Commission has established various standards that define the delivery of quality care by hospitals. The Joint Commission provides certification to health care providers depending on the types of services they deliver. A health care facility receives a certification when the Joint Commission has the conviction that the facility has made significant improvements in increasing quality in health care delivery (Daniel, Hewett, Bin, & Shari, 2007). In recent years, the Joint Commission has been keen on identifying some of the major setbacks that prevent hospitals from registering positive patient outcomes. As a result, the Joint Commission has introduced significant changes in the accreditation process. Moreover, the Joint Commission has set up new standards that seek to inspire hospitals to embark on a continuous improvement process. It is evident that the Joint Commission focuses on improving quality of care and registering higher levels of patient safety.

Changes Introduce by the Joint Commission and their Impact on Hospitals

The Joint Commission has advocated for the use of new technology in hospitals with the core objective of increasing efficiency in service delivery. Undoubtedly, modern technology can bring about numerous changes in the healthcare sector. Embracing technology in the form of new devices, procedures, and equipment can help hospitals to achieve positive patient outcomes (Pederson & Speros, 2007). Notably, the Joint Commission recognizes the significance of technological changes in the healthcare sector. Over the years, the commission has established evidence to ascertain that modern technology can alter the level of effectiveness in hospitals. Based on such evidence, it is explicit that the Joint Commission provides guiding principles that can help healthcare institutions to develop a proper system for integrating modern technology into service provision (VanAmringe, 2014). It is true that technology will register a potential impact on the healthcare industry. Moreover, modern technology is of great relevance to hospitals today. Particularly, technological advancements provide an opportunity for hospitals to purchase tracking devices that can monitor different activities in patients. Moreover, it is possible to improve patient-centered care through the use of technology.

Different applications and systems can help hospitals to increase patient engagement and ensure that hospitals can successfully identify the needs of different patients. The use of electronic health records presents an additional opportunity for hospitals that seek to embrace modern technology (Moffett & Bohara, 2005). Particularly, electronic health records empower hospitals to reduce the number of medical errors and increase the quality of service delivery. Notably, the Joint Commission seeks to ensure that hospitals register a reduced rate of medical errors and adverse events. The implementation of electronic health records represents one of the effective strategies that hospitals can use in reducing medical errors. Additionally, hospitals can embrace enterprise data warehouses which are systems that can help them in the organization of data. The software provides increased access to high-quality data that helps healthcare providers to make significant decisions regarding patient care (Pederson & Speros, 2007).. Undoubtedly, the adoption of modern technology can transform the healthcare sector positively. It is evident that modern technology can improve the efficiency of various processes and empower hospitals to meet the existing standards that the Joint Commission has established.

The Joint Commission mandates hospitals to embark on a rigorous process of improving the procedures of service delivery. With the established benchmarks, the Joint Commission expects hospitals to review their processes and establish the ways of improvement. Modern technology can help hospitals to review their processes and establish measures of improvement effectively (Grachek, 2004). Specifically, the Joint Commission emphasizes the need to focus on the process as a way of identifying the potential problems, the causes, and potential improvements that can lead to positive outcomes the Joint Commission has recommended the use of process automation in hospitals as a way of increasing operational performance. Process automation requires the use of modern technology in the collection and management of data to ensure that healthcare providers can make better decisions (Moffett & Bohara, 2005). Process automation presents potential benefits for hospitals in the modern day. Undoubtedly, the level of automation that hospitals can register will determine their effectiveness in reducing medical errors. With the use of an automated process system, it will be easier to deliver basic health care services that meet the needs of patients.

The Joint Commission has introduced the use of lean-six-sigma in hospitals. The objective of introducing lean processes is to develop lea hospitals that reduce waste and introduce productivity. Particularly, the Joint Commission has recommended specific areas in which lean management can help in increasing efficiency in the healthcare sector. It is possible to reduce the waiting periods in hospitals by implementing lean processes. Specifically, it is possible to register a 90% reduction of the waiting periods if hospitals implement lean processes (VanAmringe, 2014). Moreover, hospitals can reduce the cases of overproduction through lean processes. The management of the hospital inventories using lean management processes ensures that hospitals only produce products and services sufficient enough to meet the needs of patients (Daniel et al., 2007). Additionally, hospitals register mistakes and errors that compel the health care providers to repeat processes. The adoption of lean-six-sigma methods and techniques will reduce the number of medical errors and mistakes that health care providers make, eliminating the need for repeating processes. It is explicit that such a move will increase the efficiency of service delivery and provide hospitals with a better platform to meet patient needs successfully.

The lean-six-sigma processes will also help hospitals to reduce unnecessary motion that compromises the quality of service delivered and their ability to meet patient needs. Excessive motion leads to time wastage a factor that affects the process of service delivery (VanAmringe, 2014). For this reason, introducing lean techniques in hospitals will reduce such motion and help healthcare providers to focus on service delivery. The Joint Commission has also cited the need for lean-six-sigma techniques to reduce over processing and unnecessary transporting that affects the effectiveness of service delivery (Pederson & Speros, 2007). The new compliance standards regarding process improvement make it clear that hospitals must implement lean techniques to register higher levels of effectiveness. Undoubtedly, lean techniques will have a significant impact on hospitals through the reduction of medical errors and improvement of service delivery. Lean techniques can ensure that hospitals transform all the processes and register higher levels of effectiveness.

A few years ago, the Joint Commission introduced the need for hospitals to report quality-related performance. It is mandatory for every hospital to measure quality improvement and file a report on the efforts made in the improvement of quality performance. The requirement to provide such reports has compelled hospitals to embark on continuous quality improvement measures that can increase the effectiveness of service delivery (Moffett & Bohara, 2005). Hospitals must adopt quality measurement processes that help them to determine the specific areas of improvement. Undoubtedly, hospitals have been able to evaluate their measures of improving duality and develop potential strategies for improving their processes. The existence of different quality-related measures that each hospital must meet makes it clear that hospitals must undertake a comprehensive analysis and assessment of their continual quality processes and focus on improving each process (Pederson & Speros, 2007).. In the reports, the hospitals must highlight the measures they implemented to achieve each of the quality-related measures.

In 2016, the Joint Commission brought in a new layer of reporting that mandates hospitals to report contemplated changes before implementing them. Particularly, all hospitals must report contemplated changes such as the inclusion of new services, new components, or the increase in the number of services delivered. Hospitals must also report to the Joint Commission 30 days after implementation. With the new requirements, hospitals have no option but to register high levels of transparency concerning any changes that may affect service delivery (Moffett & Bohara, 2005). The Joint Commission seeks to ensure that hospitals are accountable in different processes that they undertake. The increased levels of accountability will ensure that hospitals can register more positive outcomes. In the past, hospitals could implement changes without notifying the Joint Commission (Grachek, 2004). However, the new requirement ensures that hospitals cannot introduce new services and compromise the standards of service delivery. Previously, it was possible for hospitals to acquaint new services and fail to manifest compliance with the existing requirements. Hospitals have a new mandate of additional reporting and heightened compliance to the multiple sets of standards at all points of service delivery.

The Joint Commission working together with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced changes regarding the reimbursement of hospitals. Unlike in the past, reimbursement can only take place if the hospital meets key quality measures highlighted in the Joint Commission requirements. Particularly, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement signify greater percentage of a hospital’s income. For this reason, both CMS and the Joint Commission have established new requirements regarding outcomes and processes that hospitals use to determine their level of improvement (VanAmringe, 2014). With these changes in place, it is apparent that hospitals will need to give attention to service delivery that meets the set standards. If hospitals are to receive reimbursements on time, then they must focus on meeting all the key quality standards outlined by the Joint Commission. These changes leave hospitals with no alternative but to improve their processes so that they can qualify for reimbursement in time (Daniel et al., 2007). It is time for hospitals to work on improving their compliance levels with the multiple sets of standards so that they can receive reimbursement. The Joint Commission recognizes that the new requirements will place additional pressure on hospitals so that they can register desirable patient outcomes. Hospitals that intend to exhibit higher levels of compliance must meet the National Patient Safety Goals as well as the quality measures in place. Notably, the quality measures help in determining the efforts that hospitals make to improve their processes and enhance the quality of service delivery. The Joint Commission has expressed its commitment to patient safety, an aspect that governs the quality care measures. The new changes regarding reimbursement are closely associated with quality improvement and higher levels of patient safety.

The Joint Commission recognizes the need for reforms in hospitals as a way of enhancing the quality of services delivered. To achieve this, the Joint Commission places pressure on hospitals to maximize the health benefits of measures and standards. Each hospital must demonstrate its commitment to respond positively to the pressure and establish more health benefits of the existing standards (Pederson & Speros, 2007). Through its rigorous assessment processes, the Joint Commission can determine how much hospitals are doing in their efforts to increase the health benefits. Such kind of pressure compels hospitals to give attention to the existing standards and measures and use them to increase health benefits. Hospitals must demonstrate an evident commitment to increase the health benefits at all times and register high levels of compliance with all the standards in place (VanAmringe, 2014). These changes in compliance have changed the landscape of healthcare delivery. Unlike in the past, there is an evident emphasis on quality and the patient must benefit from the services delivered. For this reason, hospitals have undertaken a complete overhaul of their processes to maximize the health benefits. Since the hospitals must meet stringent reporting requirements, it is explicit that they embark on an effective process for increasing the health benefits associated with various measures.

The new requirements introduced by the Joint Commission compel hospitals to achieve truly integrated systems to meet all the quality measures. It is not an easy task for hospitals to integrate their systems effectively and develop the level of transformation required. Many hospitals face challenges in achieving the expected level of integration due to staffing and financial setbacks. It is not easy for hospitals to embark on a comprehensive process of integrating and automating different processes (Moffett & Bohara, 2005). For this reason, hospitals have registered varied results in undertaking the required levels of transformation. However, the Joint Commission has proved relentless in ensuring that each hospital takes the relevant measures in improving quality. Although hospitals are operating under pressure to meet the numerous requirements, they have made significant progress in improving quality. A significant number of hospitals have met key quality measures demonstrating the possibility of having a transformed healthcare sector. The primary objective of introducing the numerous changes is to ensure that each hospital embarks on a journey that focuses on continuous improvement (Pederson & Speros, 2007).. The long-term outcomes of the process will register higher levels of patient satisfaction and effectiveness in service delivery. It is evident that hospitals must exert themselves in meeting all the requirements and ensuring that they integrate their systems effectively with a significant focus on meeting all the quality measures.

The Joint Commission has established specific requirements for healthcare staffing services. As a result, hospitals that intend to meet the certification requirements must embrace all the changes in healthcare staffing. Particularly, the Joint Commission seeks to promote higher levels of credibility and a diverse range of contracting opportunities that can help hospitals to gain access to qualified personnel (Grachek, 2004). The staffing requirements focus on identifying personnel that can meet specific quality measures in compliance with Joint Commission’s standards. Undoubtedly, the healthcare staffing services have registered remarkable outcomes for hospitals. Unlike in the past, it is much easier for hospitals to get in touch with contracting companies that meet the outlined standards. It is easier to hire qualified personnel that give attention to meeting the set quality standards. The new requirements have established a proper system for supporting healthcare staffing services (Moffett & Bohara, 2005). With such support, there is a high level of credibility and reliability. Each hospital must focus on attracting healthcare providers with high levels of talent and a significant commitment to the provision of quality services.

The Joint Commission conducts accreditation surveys after every 39 months with the core objective of determining the level of compliance with the existing standards. The Joint Commission surveyors organize a random visit to hospitals and identify several patients whose medical records help in evaluating how the facility meets the expected standards. The regular survey has kept many hospitals in check since they need to improve compliance levels (VanAmringe, 2014). Particularly, hospitals are likely to make better decisions regarding health care delivery so that they can meet the accreditation standards. The accreditation standards touch on various topics such as patient rights and education, infection control, the prevention of medical errors, as well as the management of medications (Daniel et al., 2007). During the surveys, the Joint Commission critically analyzes the level of compliance and determines whether each hospital is making the necessary changes to improve quality of care and to promote patient safety. Hospitals face the pressure of performing well in each survey and of registering increased melioration after each survey. These requirements help hospitals to remain on the right track in the delivery of quality healthcare and the reduction of medical errors.

Conclusion

Evidently, the Joint Commission has registered remarkable success in promoting the improvement of the quality of care in hospitals. Currently, the United States has a remarkable regulatory program that establishes standards for hospitals to meet and to embark on continuous improvement. The commission recognizes the dynamic nature of the healthcare industry and responds effectively by introducing changes in accreditation processes with the core objective of ensuring that hospitals register an improvement in meeting the set standards (Pederson & Speros, 2007). The commission has exhibited high levels of commitment in conducting regular surveys that reveal the efforts that various hospitals are making in reducing the negative patient outcomes. There is evidence that hospitals are responding positively to the need to increase the efforts of promoting quality. The most recent changes that the Joint Commission has introduced focus on ensuring that hospitals embark on a regular reporting system, highlighting the manner in which they implement strategies to promote quality (VanAmringe, 2014). Many hospitals have been able to meet several quality measures and receive certification for their efforts. The overall benefits of these changes are that the health care system is more responsive to patient needs and is in a position to address the identified setbacks in promoting quality. The Joint Commission works closely with CMS to promote high levels of compliance with the existing regulations. Undoubtedly, the changes introduced by the Joint Commission have had a significant impact on hospitals.