Simplify Hospital Accreditation Reviews
By Kimberly S. Clark, RN, BSN, MBA; Senior Director, Product Management; HealthStream
Most HealthStream customers are accredited by the Joint Commission or another accrediting body. These customers undergo routine reviews, and many report that using the HealthStream Learning, Performance, and Competency Centers has simplified the review process and taken some of the worry out of it for them.
EASY TO ASSEMBLE DOCUMENTATION FOR REVIEWS
The most important feedback customers share about having HealthStream on their side during accreditation reviews is the comfort in knowing that information is always available and easy to find. Instead of sifting through cabinets full of folders and paper, system administrators can quickly access aggregate data through standard reports and information specific to individual employees, such as performance evaluations or compliance with regulatory courses.
Joint Commission reviewers have been "wowed" by how quickly system administrators can access key information critical to the review process. While many organizations are still tracking compliance with paper forms and checklists, HealthStream customers may never have to print a single piece of paper.
DOCUMENTING COMPLIANCE MADE SIMPLE
HealthStream makes simple work of compliance with standards. Customers report record levels of employee compliance with required activities after implementing HealthStream products. Employees find the system simple to use and required activities easy to complete. Because of this, some of our customers have achieved near 100% on-time compliance with educational and performance management requirements. Standard reports make demonstration of this compliance even easier.
STANDARDIZATION MATCHED BY FLEXIBILITY
HealthStream customers report better management of learning, performance, and competency activities across their organizations using HealthStream products. One customer reported having more insight into parts of the organization that previously "fell through the cracks." Joint Commission reviewers can see that management of critical activities is controlled through the appropriate area and that standards are applied uniformly across the organization.
EVIDENCE OF REQUIRED ACTIONS
Incorporating follow-up actions based on incomplete or failed courses, competency assessments, and performance evaluations is an important part of an organization’s commitment to quality and continuous improvement. HealthStream customers have been able to easily show that required follow-up is not only institutionalized through policy but is enforced through the system’s configuration and confirmed through standard reports. HealthStream customers can quickly identify employees who have not met a minimum standard, such as an appropriate level of competency, and then require them to take the subsequent actions required by the policy, such as additional training, mentorship, or removal from their current responsibilities.
OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SUPPORT THAT UNDERSTANDS URGENCY
HealthStream’s customer support has been there. Many of our customer support team members actually have spent time in your seat, managing HealthStream’s tools for a healthcare organization. They’ve likely been through a Joint Commission review, too. So, when you are faced with a team of reviewers walking through your doors, you can always call us for help. You will get a friendly, knowledgeable team member who understands the situation and the priority of the support you need. In addition, HealthStream supports over 40 very active local user groups with over 4,000 total members. We also have a powerful online community, where users can share their experiences and best practices.
With effective and easy to use products and the support of both HealthStream and a network of your peers, you can feel confident in your ability to meet–and even exceed–accreditation standards. As a result, Joint Commission or other accrediting body reviews could become a welcome opportunity to demonstrate the strength of your organization and the value you provide to the communities you serve.