TJC & CMS News Blog Information
for Hospitals and Behavioral Healthcare
To read articles written prior to January 2015, please view our Newsletter Archive.
New Joint Commission Life Safety Requirements for Business Occupancies
Heads up! There’s are new Joint Commission Life Safety standards for business occupancies effective July 1, 2021. They apply to organizations accredited under both the Hospital Manual and the Behavioral Health & Human Services manual. So, what’s involved and how...
Virtual Joint Commission Surveys: What’s the Status?
As we know, once the pandemic hit, TJC launched its virtual survey process. The number of virtual Joint Commission surveys increased dramatically over the past year as the Public Health Emergency continued. Fast forward: TJC reinstituted routine onsite surveys effective March 15th. However, they’ll continue with a certain volume of virtual surveys in the near term. We’re providing an update on how these surveys are unfolding in the field. And how to prepare if you’re anticipating a virtual Joint Commission survey.
Joint Commission Document Review 2021: Be Prepared
Whether you have an onsite or a virtual survey, the Joint Commission Document Review is critical. Your documents give surveyors their first impression of your organization. And we all know “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.†Thorough preparation for this session is key to your survey success. So, let’s review some survey strategies. So, thorough preparation for this session is key to your survey success. So, let’s review some survey strategies.
Onsite Joint Commission Surveys: March 2021 Update
What’s the latest on Joint Commission survey activity? Well, we may soon be seeing a return to “business as usual” for onsite Joint Commission surveys. As we know, The Joint Commission resumed onsite survey activity on a limited basis in June. Their approach to date has been to conduct onsite surveys in counties that are low risk for COVID-19. Effective March 15th that approach is changing.
Joint Commission 2021 Standards: What’s New?
Are you all squared away with the Joint Commission 2021 standards that went into effect January 1st? Now is a good time for a final check to be sure you’re fully compliant with all the new 2021 requirements. Our experience is when a new year begins, surveyors often...
Virtual Joint Commission Surveys: Get Prepared
Are you ready for the possibility of a virtual Joint Commission survey? As the pandemic has continued, the number of virtual surveys has steadily increased. The chart below illustrates the pattern of onsite vs. virtual surveys since May 2020. TJC has established a...
Joint Commission Environment of Care Review: Different in 2021
Get ready! The Joint Commission Environment of Care survey process for hospitals has changed in 2021. Previously, there was a one hour session on the hospital survey agenda dedicated to the Environment of Care review. TJC eliminated that session effective January 1,...
Joint Commission Behavioral Telehealth Update
As we’ve all witnessed, the use of behavioral telehealth has increased exponentially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clearly, it’s proven an important vehicle for delivering services, particularly in the face of the mental health issues the pandemic has created. As a result, the question of “What are the Joint Commission behavioral telehealth requirements?” has come up frequently. So, let’s take a look at that …
Joint Commission Survey Status: November 2020
What’s the latest on Joint Commission survey activity? As we know, The Joint Commission resumed onsite survey activity in June. Their approach has been to conduct onsite surveys in counties that are low risk for COVID-19. At the same time, they began conducting a limited number of virtual surveys. So, what’s the current Joint Commission survey status …
Joint Commission Flu Vaccination Requirements: 90% Goal Eliminated
The Joint Commission recently announced elimination of the requirement for a 90% flu vaccination goal effective January 1, 2021. Currently, Infection Control standard IC.02.04.01 Element of Performance # 5 requires organizations to …