JCAHO RECOGNITION

Codman Award applications available

Applications for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations' (JCAHO) 2005 Ernest A. Codman Award are now available at http://www.jcaho.org/accredited+organizations/codman+award. JCAHO presents the annual award to healthcare organizations for achievement in the use of process and outcomes measures to improve organization performance, care quality, and patient safety.

The deadline for application is February 14, 2005. Award winners will receive notification in September, and will be recognized at the Joint Commission Resources' annual national conference.

HHS NEWS

Grants for health center services

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced the distribution of almost $11 million in grants to 91 health centers nationwide. The funds are earmarked to expand the types of services available at federally supported health centers and to create integrated healthcare and pharmacy networks among multiple health centers.

Specifically, 35 grantees will establish new or expanded oral health services. Twelve grantees will establish mental health and substance abuse services at sites that require this type of outreach.

Over 30 grantees will build health disparities collaboratives that aim to improve clinical care at health centers through better teamwork, improve procedures to track treatments and provide resident outreach, and encourage patients to take greater responsibility for monitoring their health.

Nursing Management congratulates Joan Massella, RN, BSN, MEd, MBA, Visionary Leader 2004. Read her winning submission in the January 2005 issue.