Articles
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The Purpose and Value of Mock Patient Files
For a newly opened sleep lab, or one that has just begun offering a specific service, mock patient files provide a way for the ACHC surveyor to assess the organization’s preparedness and compliance with clinical, documentation, and regulatory standards.
Avoiding Medical Record Errors in Office-Based Surgery Settings
Maintaining comprehensive medical records is essential to safe, high-quality care that meets accreditation standards and HIPAA requirements, and would serve as effective legal documentation, if needed.
Mastering Informed Consent
Questions posed during ACHCU’s monthly Coffee Chat live webinar often serve to reveal opportunities to extend education and develop additional resources for ACHC-accredited hospitals. In March 2025, the topic was medical record documentation.
Prepare for Sleep Standard Updates: Recording Sleep Studies using Video
On February 1, 2025, ACHC released revisions and updates to standards for Sleep Accreditation that become effective June 1, 2025. Most of these updates clarify existing standard requirements.
Why Your Accreditation End Date Matters
Achieving accreditation is regarded as one of the key benchmarks for measuring the quality of an organization. Once initial accreditation is achieved, it is not permanent and must be maintained and renewed to ensure continued compliance. ACHC Accreditation is valid for a 36-month time period but preparation for renewal should begin at least nine months before the expiration date. Resources are available to help you prepare.
Advance Directives Require Important Considerations
Advance directives rank among the most important legal documents in the healthcare setting. They come into use when a patient is incapacitated and cannot provide informed consent for care or cannot actively participate in care planning. Among the various types of advance directives, the most common in the healthcare setting are the living will and the durable power of attorney for health care.
Clinical Leadership Has an Essential Role in Nursing Services for Surgical Settings
Clinical leadership is a critical role for ensuring patient safety in the surgical setting, and, in many cases, it’s a requirement of state and federal regulations.
How Office Visit Notes Support Sleep Care
Office visit notes from the patient’s referring physician/provider documenting the supporting symptoms associated with the patient’s need for sleep testing are critical to the client/patient record.
Assessing Competencies Helps Ensure Quality and Safety of Patient Care
Competencies are not just requirements in health care. They are crucial aspects. Competencies play pivotal roles in ensuring patient safety, quality and continuity of care, and operational efficiency. As a healthcare professional, your role in identifying and addressing competence-related issues is paramount.
Time Out: Working to Ensure Operating Room Mistakes Don’t Happen
Did you know that the “time-out” performed in healthcare operating rooms was adapted from the aviatio¬¬n industry’s practices? Aviation’s pre-flight checklist and communication protocols reduced errors and enhanced safety.