Hospitals need to stay abreast of the evolving compliance issues and shifting priorities regarding Joint Commission accreditation. At this year’s conference, we’re bringing back popular speaker Mark Crafton, MT(ASCP), MPA, executive director for state and external affairs at The Joint Commission. Mark is the expert on Joint Commission standards and he’ll provide an update on the challenging standards from 2018 and highlight some of the new standards for 2019. We will also feature a hot topics session from David Szabo, Esq., Co-Chair of the Health Care practice, Locke Lord LLP and conclude the program with a panel of your colleagues from recently-surveyed hospitals with the goals of sharing tips and updates about current priorities. 

8:30 a.m.
WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS
Patricia Noga, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Vice President, Clinical Affairs, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association

Updates from the Joint Commission Part One:
Performance on New/Critical Standards and Initiatives from 2018
Mark A. Crafton, MT(ASCP), MPA, Executive Dir., State & External Relations, The Joint Commission

9:40-10:10 a.m. NETWORKING BREAK

10:10 a.m. 
Updates from the Joint Commission Part Two:
Focus on 2019 Standards and Accreditation/Survey Process
Mark A. Crafton, MT(ASCP), MPA, Executive Dir., State & External Relations, The Joint Commission

11 a.m. Hot Topic Session on Discrimination: Patients Rights Vs. Employee Rights 
David Szabo, Esq., Co-Chair Healthcare Practice, Locke Lord LLP


12 p.m. NETWORKING LUNCH

1:15 p.m. Surviving Your Joint Commission Visit
Hospitals recently surveyed will share stories of their visit

South Shore Hospital
Donna Chase, Director, Accreditation & Clinical Professional Development

Cooley Dickinson Health
Margaret Oakes, RN, Manager, Patient Safety, Regulatory & Compliance

2:30 p.m. ADJOURN