Certification program for inpatient diabetes care launched

JCAHO and the American Diabetes Association are collaborating on a new certification program for inpatient diabetes care that will be the nation’s first diabetes certification program.

The Advanced Inpatient Diabetes Care Certification Program will certify organizations through an on-site review of their compliance with national standards and the management of diabetes patients through clinical guidelines. The review will include an assessment of performance measurement and improvement activities. In addition, organizations will be assessed regarding the qualifications and competencies of practitioners; processes established to encourage patient self-management; demonstrated leadership support for the program; and use of clinical information systems to monitor patient care management.

More than 14 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, with one out of every 10 health care dollars now being spent on diabetes and its complications. This includes more than $40 billion for inpatient hospital care. Effective management of glucose levels of diagnosed diabetic patients can help reduce the risk of further complications and adverse outcomes.

“The collaboration between the ADA and Joint Commission will help standardize the care provided for all diabetic patients in all inpatient departments in a hospital,” says Jean Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission. “This will lead to a better quality of life for diabetic patients and position certified organizations for success in pay-for-performance programs.”

Patient safety in Illinois

Every year, JCAHO establishes new patient safety goals that healthcare organizations must follow to maintain accreditation. But now individual states are taking action. Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich of Illinois recently issued a package of reforms to reduce the number of medical errors and improve patient safety, including:

* Proposing that all providers use e-prescribing by 2011 to reduce the risk of medication errors
* Creating a new Division of Patient Safety within the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to specifically focus on reducing medical mistakes and improving patient safety
* Directing the new Division of Patient Safety to develop standardized medication practices to reduce adverse drug effects
* Directing the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to complete an on-line physician database so patients can learn more about their doctors
* Directing IDPH to expand its nursing home database to help seniors and their families learn more about each facility

“These are just some of the steps we can take to cut down on medical errors and help keep patients safe,” Gov. Blagojevich said. “If we’re successful, our patient safety plan will save money because it will reduce the costs that come with treating medical errors. But far more importantly, it will save lives. It means peace of mind, and better care, for all of us.”