The changes are effective Aug. 27 and aim to “further help healthcare organizations address the many challenges they face by eliminating requirements that do not add value to accreditation surveys,” according to a July 20 news release.
In December, The Joint Commission cut 14 percent of the quality metrics evaluated for its accreditation programs and froze hospital fees. Those changes focused on hospitals and were made after the organization conducted a comprehensive review that found many requirements that went “above and beyond” CMS’ regulatory requirements.
“When we announced the first tranche of eliminated and revised standards in December 2022, hospital leadership and direct care providers alike were extremely supportive of the news that Joint Commission standards would be fewer but more meaningful,” Jonathan Perlin, MD, PhD, president and CEO of The Joint Commission, said in a statement. “After such positive feedback, we are pleased to extend additional relief to our accredited organizations outside the hospital setting — especially as this is where patients most frequently receive care.”
As part of the latest set of revisions, 28 percent of the requirements for laboratories will be eliminated; 26 percent for nursing facilities; 25 percent for behavioral health centers; 15 percent for ambulatory health care centers and home health providers; and a 9 percent reduction for office-based surgery practices. For hospitals, seven elements of performance, or the requirements that make up a standard, were deleted or consolidated and four were revised.
The full set of revisions can be found here.
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