Provision of Care in a Safe Environment: Update on Patient Rights and Suicide Prevention

Audience

behavioral health and psychiatric staff, CEOs, chief medical officers, chief nursing officers, emergency department staff, nursing managers, nursing staff, physicians, regulatory readiness liaisons and safety officers

The following program content was provided by the speaker.

Overview

According to CMS and accrediting organizations such as Det Norske Veritas and TJC, one of the most cited deficiencies at the immediate jeopardy level is patients' rights to receive care in a safe setting. These regulations apply to all hospitals. Ligatures compromise this right. It’s the hospital’s responsibility to provide care and safety to psychiatric patients at risk of harm to themselves or others.

Objectives

Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• • describe the CMS requirements for providing care in a safe environment for all patients, specifically those patients who are suicidal or in need of behavioral health services
  • discuss CMS and the adoption of TJC’s suicide prevention panel recommendations
  • explain the responsibilities of CAHs under the 2023 Patient Rights Condition of Participation
  • explain what is required for a physical environmental risk assessment

Speaker

Nancy Ruzicka is a consultant on state and federal rules, regulations and interpretative guidelines. She previously worked as the director of integrity and compliance and privacy official at MercyOne Des Moines and the director of regulatory compliance at UnityPoint Health-Des Moines. She also has more than 20 years of experience with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. Ruzicka holds master’s degrees in health law and business administration and a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, all from Drake University. She is certified in health care compliance and maintains her Iowa pharmacy license.