Managing Critical Tests and Values

Format: Audio CD-ROM (includes presentation materials)
Estimated Duration: 2 hours
Price: $365


OVERVIEW

The Joint Commission's Critical Test and Critical Values Reporting National Patient Safety Goal has caused a great deal of confusion among health care professionals. This recording of a two-part audioconference held on Sept. 9 and 16, 2008, reviews the process -- from defining each category, to setting expectations, collecting data and reporting results. Listeners will be able to use the information gathered to make meaningful improvements in reporting times for both critical tests and critical values. 

At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will be able to:

• Define critical tests; 
• Define critical values;
• Explain measures to guide the medical staff in setting expected time frames for performance; Identify important test/results to monitor; and
• Discuss sound actions for identifying delays in the testing/reporting process.

Richard Kaine, M.D., is the director of consulting services for Quality Management Resources, Ltd., a nationwide consulting firm working with hospitals to achieve successful Joint Commission and Medicare surveys. Kaine has been certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, the American Board of Family Practice, the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians. He was in private practice for 12 years, and at various times he chaired the medical records committee, quality committee and utilization review committee; was chief of pediatrics and a member of the medical executive committee; and acted as the lead physician representative for his hospital’s Joint Commission surveys. Since 1988, Kaine has worked with hundreds of hospitals through his own company to achieve excellent survey results and improve patient care through an in-depth understanding of the Joint Commission standards and the Medicare Conditions of Participation.