Joint Commission deletes EP on pain management

Editor's Note

The Joint Commission on March 20 announced the deletion of RI.01.01.01, element of performance (EP) 8: “The hospital respects the patient’s right to pain management” because it is no longer relevant and necessary to ensure quality of care and safety. The deletion is effective immediately.

The Joint Commission’s deletion is based on the fact that new sets of requirements that became effective January 1 are comprehensive and require that the patient be included in the process of planning pain management treatment.

The new set of requirements address the role of leadership (LD.04.03.13) and medical staff (MS.05.01.01) in ensuring appropriate assessment and management of pain, screening patients for pain, and involving patients in the pain management treatment planning process (PC.01.02.07), as well as collecting data and monitoring performance including interventions used and their effectiveness (PI.01.01.01).