Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Describe the structure, content, and intent of the Physical Environment (PE) Chapter and navigate the Joint Commission survey process including applying documentation
- Interpret SAFER findings regarding PE/NPG/EM scoring trends and use comparisons to prioritize organizational risk and apply current interpretive guidance to high-risk physical environment issues within an organization
- Describe changes to Joint Commission’s Sentinel Event definition, list, and guidance and differentiate “Patient Harm” events from “Regardless of Outcome” events using the new 2027 criteria
- Identify at least two organizational actions needed to align with the 2027 requirements around event reporting, analysis, and improvement processes and apply the five-step process to determine an incident as a Sentinel Event occurrence
- Describe key construction and renovation considerations, including impacts on operations, regulatory compliance, patient care, infection prevention, life safety, utilities, and communication during projects in healthcare environments
- Explain core High Reliability Organization principles, maturity concepts, cultural factors, and change strategies that support healthcare organizations in advancing toward high reliability
Session-specific objectives
Physical Environment Standards, Survey Readiness & Scoring Priorities
Speaker: LaVon Martin, MBA, CHFM | Joint Commission
- Explain how Accreditation 360, CMS Conditions of Participation, and 2026 standards change physical environment compliance
- Navigate the Joint Commission survey process and apply current preparation resources from document review through post-survey follow-up
- Interpret SAFER findings, PE/NPG/EM scoring trends, and national comparisons to prioritize organizational risk.
- Apply current interpretive guidance to high-risk physical environment issues, including fire/life safety, utilities, ventilation, security, and emergency management
Sentinel Events 2027: A New List and New Guidance
Speaker: Doreen Donohue, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CPHQ | Joint Commission
- Describe the 2027 changes to Joint Commission’s Sentinel Event definition, list and guidance
- Differentiate “Patient Harm” events from “Regardless of Outcome” events using the updated criteria
- Apply the five-step review process to determine whether a clinical scenario qualifies as a Sentinel Event
- Identify at least two organizational actions needed to align event reporting, analysis, and improvement processes with the 2027 requirements
Understanding the Impact of Construction in Healthcare Environments
Speaker: Lisa Hardesty, MA, CFI, CHSP, CHC | Joint Commission Resources
- Describe how construction and renovation projects affect healthcare budgets, operations, regulatory compliance, and patient care
- Identify common construction-related challenges, including infection prevention risks, life safety concerns, utility disruptions, and stakeholder communication
- Apply industry best practices to manage construction activities occurring adjacent to occupied patient care areas
- Recognize indicators of effective construction risk management and demonstrate how to engage staff in identifying and escalating safety concerns
High Reliability Organizations: How Healthcare Organizations are Successful in Reaching HRO
Speaker: Dawn Allbee, MA, CPHQ, CCMP | Joint Commission Resources
- Define High Reliability
- Translate High Reliability Principles to Healthcare
- Understand High Reliability Maturity Model
- Discuss Culture: Helping and Hindering
- Facilitate Change Toward High Reliability
- Call to Action