title: Three hospitals' survey experiences.
abstract: The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has made major alterations in its standards and survey process under the Agenda for Change, by emphasizing cross-functional healthcare. The Joint Commission published the changes in its 1994 Accreditation Manual for Hospitals, under which criteria these hospitals were surveyed. Surveyors concentrated on evaluating the following major issues: care of patients, particularly restraint policies and procedures; uniform performance of processes, particularly as related to conscious sedation; staff competency; and process improvement. The authors detail why a thorough, detailed preparation for the document review session is essential for a successful survey.
authors.affiliation: Chinese Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Elenteny
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002140:California; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006743:Hospital Bed Capacity, under 100; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000592:standards*; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000592:standards*; D007591:Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States