New JCAHO standards require integrated patient safety program

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations is getting mostly positive reviews on its recently approved standards focused on patient safety and medical error reduction in hospitals. But experts warn that integrating these new standards into existing safety protocols will be no easy task. The new standards augment the nearly 50% of current Joint Commission standards related to patient safety. Requirements for establishing ongoing patient safety programs in organizations accredited under the Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Hospitals will be added in the areas of leadership, management of information, and other functions.     

JCAHO: pilot hospitals' input updates Agenda for Change

How is the Agenda for Change program progressing? Despite some setbacks during its first year, officials at the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations say that the program is heading toward its ambitious goal of evaluating the clinical and organizational performance of hospitals.     

JCAHO proposes staffing effectiveness standards

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has proposed a set of new standards aimed at assessing staffing effectiveness, which the Joint Commission defines as 'the number, competency, and skill mix of staff respecting the provision of needed services.' In a letter dated March 14, JCAHO president Dennis O'Leary, MD, solicited feedback from providers on the proposed standards and criticized proposed legislation in some states that would mandate specific staff-to-patient ratios.     

JCAHO issues revised restraint standards

Last month, JCAHO released revisions to its restraint and seclusion standards. The organization says the revisions are designed 'to restrict the uses of restraints and seclusion to emergency situations in which there is imminent risk that the individual may physically harm himself or others.' The standards require that a licensed independent practitioner evaluate adult patients within four hours of restraints being applied.     

JCAHO drafts error reduction standards

Hospitals will have to gear up soon for some serious proactive methods of eliminating medical errors and enhancing patient safety. The Joint Commission's draft standard for error reduction calls for a nonpunitive atmosphere where errors can be reported without fear of recrimination. The standard is expected to be finalized by January.     

JCAHO strengthening its infection standards

CDC guideline shows hand washing is one of the main ways to stop cross-infection. Statistics show 90,000 health care-associated infection-related deaths per year. Pressure has been increased on top-level management in health care organizations.