The Joint Commission and Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program

Always looking for ways to improve, hospitals understand the need to co-exist with substantial regulatory oversight. Accreditation, certification and periodic review come from a variety of both public and private sources, though the goal is generally consistent: develop uniform standards to ensure that hospitals in the United States all operate at an acceptable safety level and deliver quality patient care in an appropriate and effective manner. Coast Plaza Hospital receives its accreditation from both the Joint Commission and Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (“HFAP,” formerly the American Osteopathic Association).

The Joint Commission (see http://www.jointcommission.org) “has accredited hospitals for more than 50 years and today it accredits approximately 4,250 general, children’s, long term acute, psychiatric, rehabilitation and surgical specialty hospitals, and 358 critical access hospitals, through a separate accreditation program. Approximately 88 percent of the nation's hospitals are currently accredited by The Joint Commission.” To earn and maintain accreditation, Coast Plaza periodically undergoes an on-site survey by a Joint Commission survey team. Joint Commission standards review Coast Plaza’s performance to ensure that the Hospital continues to deliver patient care in a safe manner and in a secure environment.

HFAP states on its website (http://www.hfap.org): “Originally created in 1945 to conduct an objective review of services provided by osteopathic hospitals, HFAP has maintained its deeming authority continuously since the inception of CMS in 1965 and meets or exceeds the standards required by CMS/Medicare to provide accreditation to all hospitals, ambulatory care/surgical facilities, mental health facilities, physical rehabilitation facilities, clinical laboratories, critical access hospitals and stroke centers.” Embedded within HFAP's standards are the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation (CoP), not to mention additional standards designed to improve patient safety and care.

Coast Plaza is proud to be accredited by both Joint Commission and HFAP. However, it must be said that this great accomplishment is only made possible by the focus and determination of all Hospital employees in ensuring the consistent delivery of exceptional health care to the community.

Highlight - Linda Roman

As the Chief Administrative Officer, Administrator, Chief Nursing Officer, HIPAA Privacy Officer, and Compliance Officer, Linda Roman certainly needs no introduction to the people of Coast Plaza Hospital. Having been with us since December 2000, Linda quickly became an essential element in maintaining the continued standard of excellence for which our hospital is known.

Linda’s extensive background includes experience in operations, nursing administration, performance improvement, and risk management, making her the perfect person to assume such a wide range of responsibilities. She received her BSHS (with Honors) and her MBA from the University of Redlands, as well as completing the Licensed Vocational Nurse Program and receiving her Associate Nursing Degree (with Honors) from Cerritos College.

Linda’s current responsibilities include overseeing and coordinating care for both Nursing and non Nursing Clinical Departments, as well as focusing on such diverse subjects as Performance Improvement, Risk Management, Case Management, and all Regulatory activities. In addition, she is the Hospital’s point person for both HIPAA Privacy oversight and all hospital related Compliance programs.

In carrying out her daily duties, Linda is also in charge of coordinating the intradepartmental survey preparedness process, developing staffing plans that both meet regulatory requirements and are cost effective, coordinating care between the departments, providing HIPAA training, working with the Medical Staff Department to develop the Medical Staff performance program, and overseeing chart review.

Her strong leadership qualities have made her an invaluable member of Coast Plaza’s team. We are not only proud, but fortunate to have someone of Linda’s caliber among us.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Coast Plaza Hospital’s dedication to advancements in medicine enables us to offer Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), a newly developed outpatient surgery designed to treat patients who suffer from epileptic seizures and depression.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation implantation is a minor procedure, often performed under general anesthesia, where the surgeon implants a small generator the size of a pocket-watch in the shoulder. This device, called a stimulator, sends a tiny electrical current into the vagus nerve, which connects the brain with the chest and abdomen. This process is believed to regulate many of the connections to the brain that are prone to seizure activity. Surgery takes one to two hours, and patients typically go home the same day.

Studies show that most patients who undergo VNS surgery have a substantial reduction both in number and severity of seizures, allowing them to live more normal, active lives.

Recommended candidates for Vagus Nerve Stimulation include those patients who experience partial seizures or generalized seizures where consciousness is lost, as well as those who do not respond to anticonvulsant medication and cannot undergo brain surgery. VNS is currently being studied as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, migraines and fibromyalgia.

Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover VNS therapy. We at Coast Plaza are proud to be able to offer this innovative new technology to the people in and around Norwalk.

Free Weight-Loss Seminar

On Tuesday, May 25, Coast Plaza will be holding the next in its series of free Weight Loss Seminars. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Coast Plaza Hospital Doctors Dining Room, this session offers patients, employees, friends and family members an opportunity to meet with weight-loss experts and talk to people who have lost one hundred pound or more. Enjoy a variety of healthy snacks as you discuss weight-loss strategies with our surgeon and the program staff.

Whether you are interested in losing five pounds or fifty, I urge you to attend our free seminar. As being overweight has been directly linked to a variety of health issues including heart disease and cancer, this is the perfect opportunity to learn from the experts how to safely shed those unwanted pounds before summer.

R.S.V.P. today at 1-888-255-5678, as space is limited.