NAPHS Names Dr. Kathleen McCann Director of Quality and Regulatory Affairs

WASHINGTON, July 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- To focus attention on quality in behavioral health, Kathleen McCann, R.N., Ph.D., has been named Director of Quality and Regulatory Affairs for the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS). As a clinical leader within NAPHS for more than 15 years, Dr. McCann will now serve as a key contact for both members and policy leaders on a wide range of quality, clinical, accreditation, and regulatory issues affecting treatment for individuals of all ages who are experiencing psychiatric and substance use disorders.

"Behavioral healthcare providers are committed to continuous quality improvement, and our association is committed to helping the field move forward in this area," noted NAPHS President/CEO Mark Covall in announcing the new position. "With so much emphasis on quality, outcomes, and measurement in the new healthcare reform law, it is critical that NAPHS be a strong voice for quality in our sector of behavioral health. The demand for accountability and performance is also evolving. In the near future, for example, Hospital-Based Inpatient Psychiatric Services (HBIPS) core measures will become mandatory for psychiatric hospitals. Dr. McCann will be our point person on quality as we move into the new era of healthcare. We are fortunate to have such an outstanding nursing leader working to ensure that the experience of patients – whether treated in inpatient or outpatient settings – is a positive one."

In her new role, Dr. McCann will help the association enhance its focus on quality by building strategic partnerships in support of quality. She will serve as the NAPHS liaison to the National Quality Forum, of which NAPHS is a member. Dr. McCann will also continue to provide clinical consultation and education to the 600 NAPHS-member systems and facilities. She will work with hospital accrediting organizations in the areas of standards development and quality initiatives, including the HBIPS core measures (a project in which she has played a leadership role with The Joint Commission and other partner organizations). In addition, she guides and supports the association's activities related to current regulatory requirements, including inpatient and outpatient payment systems, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation, and youth services issues.

During her career as a registered nurse, Dr. McCann has practiced in both medical/surgical and psychiatric clinical settings. Dr. McCann received her bachelor's degree in nursing from St. Joseph College, in Emmitsburg, MD, and both master's and doctoral degrees in nursing, with special emphasis in psychiatric nursing, from The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. She received the "Excellence in Leadership Award" from the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.

NAPHS advocates for behavioral health and represents provider systems that are committed to the delivery of responsive, accountable, and clinically effective prevention, treatment, and care for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults with mental and substance use disorders. NAPHS members are behavioral healthcare provider organizations that own or manage more than 600 psychiatric hospitals, general hospital psychiatric and addiction treatment units and behavioral healthcare divisions, residential treatment facilities, youth services organizations, and extensive outpatient networks. The association was founded in 1933.

SOURCE National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED