to main content Information for Physicians | The Joint Commission

National Patient Safety Goals®

The new and revised elements of performance (EPs) address concepts related to using approved protocols and evidenced-based guidelines, ongoing patient monitoring, patient and family education, and evaluating organizational safety practices and then taking actions to improve those practices. The revised goal, which now is more specific and instructional, aligns with current research and the expert panel recommendations. 
Anticoagulant TherapySuicide Prevention

Collaborating with Physician Leaders

The journey towards high reliability health care is a challenging but worthwhile venture, physician leaders are key to their organization’s successful achievement of this goal. In mid-April, more than 130 physician leaders from around the country make their way to Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, to experience The Joint Commission’s annual Physician Leaders Forum.

Reasons you don't want to miss this event:

  • Opportunity to network and collaborate with fellow physician leaders
  • Gain practical insights from experts
  • Earn continuing medical education (CME) credits

Email the Forum Team to learn more details.

Contact the Forum Team

High Reliability Assessment

Physicians who want to get their organizations on the path to zero harm will want to complete the Oro® 2.0 Assessment. This provides an unmatched opportunity for leadership engagement with foundational aspects of high reliability. Oro 2.0 can help senior leaders not only understand where they stand today on the spectrum of high reliability but also provides an actionable path forward in pursuit of zero harm.
Learn more about Oro 2.0

Sentinel Events

The Joint Commission adopted a formal Sentinel Event Policy in 1996 to help hospitals that experience serious adverse events improve safety and learn from those sentinel events. Careful investigation and analysis of Patient Safety Events (events not primarily related to the natural course of the patient’s illness or underlying condition), as well as evaluation of corrective actions, is essential to reduce risk and prevent patient harm. For resources related to sentinel events including our Sentinel Event Alerts click on the button below.

Learn more about Sentinel Events

Suicidal Patient Slips through the Cracks

This fictionalized case example follows the failed hand-offs of a suicidal patient through screening and assessment in the ED to admission to a medical-surgical unit. Case examples can be used as learning opportunities for identifying lapses in patient safety and missed opportunities for developing a culture of safety. A follow-up will highlight safety actions and strategies.
View the Suicide Case Example