The Joint Commission revises several EPs for critical access hospitals to align with CMS

Editor's Note

The Joint Commission, on May 3, announced the revision of several of its elements of performance (EPs) for critical access hospitals to align with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) Conditions of Participation (CoPs).

The revisions primarily address restraint and seclusion, the complaint process, and unified and integrated structures for facilities that are part of a multihospital system.

The changes are effective June 1, 2023, and will be published in the August 2023 update to the Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Critical Access Hospitals.

Until the changes are incorporated into Joint Commission technology, findings related to the new and revised EPs and applicable CoP requirements will be scored at Leadership (LD) Standard LD.04.01.01, EP2, and this scoring process will continue until August 27, 2023, The Joint Commission says.