Editor's Note New and revised workplace violence prevention requirements take effect for The Joint Commission-accredited, office-based surgery practices July 1, The Joint Commission announced.  According to the January 16 announcement, which also announced new and revised standards for accredited assisted living communities and nursing care centers, the updates aim to…

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Takeaways • Requirements for improvement and condition level deficiency findings have been trending up in recent The Joint Commission surveys. • The scoring trends and OR hot spots focus on infection control, medication management, national patient safety goals, post-surgical electronic health record tracers, and transplant (tissue) safety. • Federal regulations,…

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Editor's Note To support healthcare organizations in implementing proactive risk management strategies, The Joint Commission has issued Sentinel Event Alert, “Environmental disasters: Preparing to safely evacuate or shelter in place.” As detailed in a November 13 press release, this alert outlines steps for healthcare organizations to consider as they prepare…

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Editor's Note In partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), The Joint Commission and The Joint Commission and Joint Commission International (JCI) invite organizations, health professionals, patients, and their advocates to recognize World Patient Safety Day Tuesday, September 17. This year’s theme is “improving diagnosis for patient safety.” This theme…

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Editor's Note Joint Commission International (JCI) and the International Hospital Federation's Geneva Sustainability Centre (GSC) have introduced a new Healthcare Sustainability Certification (HSC) for healthcare organizations outside the U.S., according to a September 11 report from The Joint Commission. The goal of the new initiative is to address the nearly…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission and National Quality Forum (NQF) announced on September 3 they are now accepting applications for the 2024 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Awards. The application window is open until October 29, 2024. The annual awards, which recognize major achievements by individuals and organizations…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced on July 31 it has secured renewed deeming approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for its Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Accreditation Program. This renewed approval is effective from September 1, 2024, through September 1, 2030, the maximum term allowed by…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission’s new Workforce Safety and Well-Being Resource Center is designed to support healthcare organizations in addressing challenges with workplace violence, burnout, and exposure to hazards. Workplace violence is a growing issue in healthcare, negatively affecting morale, staff turnover, productivity, and patient care, according to the July…

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Editor's Note Starting August 1, ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) will need to comply with new and revised requirements for Life Safety Code® and patient rights, a June 26 news update from The Joint Commission reports. These updates align with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions for Coverage.…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission is set to revise the Infection Prevention and Control (IC) chapter requirements for both office-based surgery (OBS) practices and ambulatory healthcare (AHC) organizations, effective July 1, 2025. These revisions aim to streamline the IC chapter, focusing on essential structures and processes that support quality and…

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