Joint Commission Point-of-Care Testing Survey goes well
A Joint Commission Point-of-Care Testing Survey took place earlier this month, and according to Aaron Kocsis, R.N., regulatory coordinator with WVU Medicine’s Center for Quality Outcomes, the survey went well. View the full report.
“We are very happy with the outcome,” said Kocsis. “No Direct Impact standards – those related to direct patient care – were cited. That’s a big accomplishment and something that all employees should feel good about.”
Point-of-care testing occurs at the unit/clinic level by unit/clinic staff – providers, RNs, respiratory therapists, clinical associates and others – not laboratory staff. It occurs at many of WVU Medicine’s campus and off-campus locations.
The Joint Commission surveyor, a medical technologist, did assign WVU Medicine eight Requirements for Improvement (RFIs) for Indirect Patient Care standards. RFIs are opportunities to improve processes. Corrective action for these RFIs must be completed by Jan. 4, 2016.
“We embrace this feedback,” said Kocsis, “as we’re always striving for excellence. In fact, the surveyor – one who had previously been assigned to our organization in 2007 – commented that she could see that improvements have been made since her last visit. We love hearing that.”
The Joint Commission standards that were reviewed during the visit were based on Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations. Some of the areas of focus included: policies and procedures associated with tests, documentation and orders of tests, use and documentation of controls to ensure accuracy of testing, training/validation in practice (VIPs) of staff, and cleaning and maintenance of testing equipment.
While the emphasis was on the testing provided by WVU Medicine, the survey process also took into account other standards that focus on providing safe patient care.
Kocsis would like to recognize Tonya Sabin and AJ Salgado, point-of-care coordinators, and Kim Cheuvront, perioperative quality coordinator, for their efforts to lead the survey. He’d also like to recognize all staff members who conduct patient testing in the hospital and clinics.
“Teamwork has been an overall theme throughout the preparation process and the visit,” said Kocsis. “This office wants to thank everybody for their efforts.”
The next Point-of-Care Testing Survey is expected in 18 to 24 months.