Joint Commission: HLD, sterilization top challenges for ambulatory health care

Editor's Note

Leading the Joint Commission’s Top Ten Challenging Standards for accredited ambulatory health care organizations during the past year was infection control standard IC.02.02.01, EP 2:

• The organization reduces the risk of infections associated with medical equipment, devices, and supplies by performing a high-level disinfection and sterilization.

In 2016, 43% of ambulatory health care and 53% of office-based surgery organizations experienced at least one noncompliant finding associated with this standard.

From 2013 to 2016, immediate threat to life declarations directly related to improperly sterilized or high-level disinfected equipment increased significantly.

The Joint Commission offers several recommendations for improving sterilization and high-level disinfection activities on its website.

Infection Control Challenges: What They Reveal, How You Can Respond By Lisa Waldowski, MS, APRN, CIC Infection Control Specialist Standards Interpretation Group The Joint Commission Leading the most recent list of the Top Ten Challenging Standards for accredited Ambulatory Health Care (AHC) customers over the last year is an infection control (IC) standard cited more than any other standard in 2016.