The Joint Commission has determined that there is a need to more thoroughly investigate customer expectations as to transplant certification and to enhance the program and process. More than 190 organizations have expressed interest in transplant certification and The Joint Commission wants to deliver a valuable, relevant product to these and other potential customers.
The need for strengthened quality oversight for transplants has grown as the number of people receiving transplants has increased. Currently, more than 100,000 people are known to be awaiting a transplant. Transplant surgeries currently include replacement of kidneys, livers, hearts, lungs, pancreas, and intestines; multiple organs are sometimes transplanted.
Development of this program began after the stated intent of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish quality standards for transplant centers that seek to participate in the Medicare program. The new requirements address heart, heart-lung, intestine, kidney, liver, lung, and pancreas transplant programs. Current CMS eligibility and reimbursement requirements for heart, liver and lung transplant centers do not include an assessment of compliance with quality standards. CMS has indicated that accrediting bodies may apply for and receive deeming authority for its proposed Conditions of Participation for transplant centers.
The new CMS rules apply to the nearly 700 Medicare-approved transplant centers currently functioning in 257 transplant hospitals.