September 2024 Newsletter

In the News This Month

Greetings Everyone,

This month we continue to provide information and best practices regarding opportunities for improvement we frequently see in the field during Mock Surveys and other visits.

Does your team understand the importance of medical record reviews? Are they aware of what the regulatory agencies are looking for when they are surveying? Our first article written by Denise Smith, Senior Consultant, "Are Your Medical Records Meeting Standards?" summarizes the importance of medical record review, the most frequently cited items we find during a Mock Survey, and strategies to implement to improve patient care.

Temperature and humidity management in the operating room is another area of focus. Maintaining optimal humidity and temperature in the OR is essential for both patient safety and the well-being of the surgical team. Our 2nd article, "Temperature and Humidity Variations in the Perioperative Environment," also written by Denise Smith, outlines recommended parameters for the perioperative environment providing key points related to temperature management.

Thank you for taking the time to read our articles. We hope this information is helpful in assisting you with accreditation and regulatory compliance needs. If you have any suggestions for future topics or require our services, please reach out to us at info@courtemanche-assocs.com. Our team is always available and eager to assist you in any way we can.

Doctor reviewing patient medical records.

Aug 28 2024

Are Your Medical Records Meeting Standards?
Why are medical record reviews important? Medical record reviews are important in healthcare because they allow the healthcare team to evaluate the care they provide to their patients and develop an appropriate treatment plan. In addition, hospitals are able to identify instances of harm to patients, ensure quality improvement, ...
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The Author

Denise Smith, RN, BS, MS, CLNC, HACP-CMS

Denise Smith is a Senior Consultant with Courtemanche & Associates. In this role she is responsible for assessing healthcare organizational readiness for licensing, certification, accreditation, and regulatory compliance. She has extensive knowledge in the requirements of The Joint Commission, DNV, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services including knowledge in their survey process, auditing approach and survey outcome determination. She also has knowledge and experience in AAAHC and other regulatory and accreditation organizations. She assists organizations with survey preparation, educational needs, post survey activities, patient safety strategies and quality improvement initiatives. Denise has more than 40 years of experience and expertise in Infection Prevention, Sterile Processing, Legal Nurse Consulting, Quality and Resource Management, Clinical Education, in acute inpatient and outpatient care settings.

Denise Smith
Temperature and humidity guage

Aug 28 2024

Temperature and Humidity Variations in the Perioperative Environment
Temperature or relative humidity variations that fall outside the recommended parameters for the perioperative environment can have serious implications for patient safety and satisfaction as well as business continuity. Some pathogenic microbes can thrive in prolonged elevated humidity. Supplies and equipment in perioperative environments exposed to variations in temperature ...
Read More

The Author

Denise Smith, RN, BS, MS, CLNC, HACP-CMS

Denise Smith is a Senior Consultant with Courtemanche & Associates. In this role she is responsible for assessing healthcare organizational readiness for licensing, certification, accreditation, and regulatory compliance. She has extensive knowledge in the requirements of The Joint Commission, DNV, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services including knowledge in their survey process, auditing approach and survey outcome determination. She also has knowledge and experience in AAAHC and other regulatory and accreditation organizations. She assists organizations with survey preparation, educational needs, post survey activities, patient safety strategies and quality improvement initiatives. Denise has more than 40 years of experience and expertise in Infection Prevention, Sterile Processing, Legal Nurse Consulting, Quality and Resource Management, Clinical Education, in acute inpatient and outpatient care settings.

Denise Smith
Tri logos Sayas Alliance parent company and sub division companies.

C&A is a division of SAYAS Alliance. Through our sister company Medical Resources Network, we also offer a range of legal nurse consulting services, including medical record review and analysis, medical chronologies, peer review, retention of medical experts, and adverse event and call center management. Learn more.

Disclaimer: The information on this website is published in good faith for general information purposes only. This website does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability and accuracy of this information.

The Joint Commission® is a registered trademark of Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Courtemanche & Associates has no affiliation with this entity.

Courtemanche & Associates | (704)-573-4535 | Email: info@courtemanche-assocs.com

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