In the realm of healthcare, it is essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of residents. One aspect of resident rights that must be upheld is the freedom from involuntary seclusion. Involuntary seclusion occurs when a resident is separated from other residents, confined to their...
Infection control is of paramount importance in healthcare settings to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Two key strategies used to minimize the transmission of pathogens are standard precautions and transmission-based precautions. While both approaches aim to protect patients, healthcare workers, and visitors, they are...
Airborne isolation rooms play a critical role in maintaining a safe and healthy environment in hospitals. These specialized rooms are designed to control the spread of infectious diseases and minimize cross-infection among patients, healthcare personnel, and visitors. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the...
To become an accredited Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), obtaining accreditation is essential. Without proper accreditation, a healthcare facility isn’t able to receive money from Medicare or Medicaid, and can’t provide essential services to its patrons. The process for CMS accreditation is simple: a...
Survey citations are issued for various reasons, and poor design factors in healthcare facilities could lead to citations. Everything from long-term care facilities to dental practices to dialysis clinics could be affected by poor design decisions. The risk of healthcare-associated infections is a real concern,...
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) hosts the largest gathering of infection prevention professionals in the world. This conference hosts an impressive lineup of industry professionals and accredited experts in the field. With over 100 sessions delving into innovative solutions for...
The first part of this series discussed general survey preparation and specific elements of the infection control program likely to be surveyed in Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) and hospitals. This post will examine what surveyors will most likely observe when looking at practice. Since surveyors...
Review your facility’s most recent CMS and accreditation surveys. CMS surveyors (typically your state health department) will gather information about your facility prior to their arrival, including prior surveys. The surveyors may opt to focus on problematic areas from the most recent CMS and/or accreditation...
The citations were related to cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of medical equipment (e.g. instruments, flexible endoscopes, and ultrasound probes). To avoid a citation, standardize cleaning, disinfection and sterilization processes, including point of use cleaning in all areas performing high-level disinfection or sterilization throughout the facility. If...