The Joint Commission revises CAH requirements to align with CMS

Editor's Note

The Joint Commission, on May 31, announced that it has added several new and revised elements of performance (EPs) for critical access hospitals (CAHs) that address restraint and seclusion, the complaint process, and unified and integrated structures for CAHs that are part of a multihospital system, effective June 1.

The changes, which were made to align with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) final rule, will appear in the Information Management (IM0; Leadership (LD); Medical Staff (MS); Provision of Care, Treatment, and Services (PC); and Rights and Responsibilities of the Individual (RI) chapters.

Until the fall interim standards release, on August 27, with these new and revised EPs incorporated, findings, along with the applicable Conditions of Participation requirements will be scored at standard LD.04.01.01.EP 2.