Introduced in February 1997, The Joint Commission’s ORYX® initiative integrates outcomes and other performance measurement data into the accreditation process. ORYX measurement requirements are intended to support Joint Commission accredited organizations in their quality improvement efforts. A component of the ORYX initiative is the identification and use of standardized—or “core”—performance measures. The Joint Commission’s principal intent is to identify, rather than develop, sound measures that support both the objectives of the ORYX initiative and organizational process improvement. On July 1, 2002, accredited hospitals began collecting data on core performance measures. A date has yet to be set for the final implementation of core measures for the home care field.
ORYX requirements for home care organizations
The Joint Commission has established modifications to ORYX performance measurement requirements for accredited home care organizations. These modifications no longer require participation with a listed performance measurement system.
Medicare-Certified home health agencies:
Option 1: At the time of survey, share with Joint Commission surveyors quality indicator data reports for a set of Quality Measures for home care, derived from the federally mandated Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS), that are publicly reported on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid website, Home Care Compare.
Option 2: Continue to participate with a performance measurement system and submit aggregated monthly data to The Joint Commission on six performance measures.
These options are in effect until The Joint Commission (and for Medicare-Certified programs, CMS) establishes and implements applicable core measures.
Home medical equipment organizations: ORYX requirements are suspended until The Joint Commission identifies and implements core measures for these organizations. Home medical equipment providers are still required to meet performance measurement and improvement requirements as detailed in The Joint Commission’s home care standards.
All other home care organizations (e.g., hospice, non-Medicare certified home health organizations, pharmacy, etc.):
Option 1: Discontinue submission of ORYX performance measurement data to The Joint Commission through a listed performance measurement system. If the home care organization selects this option, it will need to identify six performance measures from the universe of measures, collect data internally and generate either run charts or control charts on each measure at least quarterly, for use in internal quality improvement activities. No data are required to be submitted to The Joint Commission, but data reports will need to be available for review by surveyors during onsite surveys, and produced upon request of The Joint Commission. At the time of survey, the organization will need to discuss how the data were used in identifying priorities for performance improvement activities.
Option 2: Participate in a listed performance measurement system and submit aggregate monthly data to The Joint Commission on six performance measures.
These options are in effect until a relevant set of standardized measures is established and implemented by The Joint Commission.
Home care organizations providing multiple types of home care services:
Home care organizations providing multiple types of home care services: Home care organizations that provide Medicare-Certified home health services along with other types of home care services that do not require the collection of OASIS data are required to follow the ORYX reporting options for Medicare-Certified home health agencies.
For more information
For more information about ORYX for home care organizations, contact Frank Zibrat, associate director, at fzibrat@jointcommission.org or (630) 792-5992. For general information about ORYX, visit www.jointcommission.org, call the ORYX Information Line at (630) 792-5085 or submit questions to oryx@jointcommission.org.