Joint Commission questionnaire identifies COVID-19 impact on organizations

Editor's Note

The Joint Commission on January 6, 2021, reported on an online questionnaire sent to organizations in September 2020 to learn about their challenges and needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 735 respondents, representing a variety of healthcare settings, reported:

• a medium to high impact on their organizations from COVID-19, and they often perceived a higher impact than the number of cases in their areas may have indicated
• common challenges during COVID-19, including staffing issues, obtaining supplies, supply shortages, and implementing safety protocols and guidelines
• that establishing and updating protocols, such as infection prevention, emergency management plans, and procuring additional PPE and supplies for immediate use were the most common organizational changes during COVID-19
• that the most valuable resources were those that helped them monitor changes and adapt plans accordingly, such as communications on regulatory and guideline changes resulting from COVID-19, information on modifications to infection prevention plans, and additional training as federal, state, and local recommendations evolved.

The Joint Commission says it will use the survey findings to further support their accredited healthcare organizations.