Effective July 1, 2023, Leadership (LD) Standard LD.04.03.08 — which addresses healthcare disparities as a quality and safety priority — will be elevated to a new National Patient Safety Goal® (NPSG®) for:
- Hospitals
- Critical access hospitals
- Ambulatory care organizations that provide primary care within the Medical Centers service in the ambulatory care program
- Behavioral healthcare and human services organizations that provide
- Addictions services
- Eating disorders treatment
- Intellectual disabilities/developmental delays
- Mental health services
- Primary physical healthcare
This change is being made to increase the focus on improving healthcare equity versus reducing healthcare disparities — but the requirements for accredited organizations are not changing. The intent behind the standard and associated elements of performance remains the same; however, they are now stated as NPSG Goal 16. Organizations will still be required to do the following:
- Identify an individual to lead activities to improve healthcare equity.
- Assess patients’ health-related social needs.
- Analyze quality and safety data to identify disparities.
- Develop an action plan to improve healthcare equity.
- Act when the organization does not meet the goals in its action plan.
- Inform key stakeholders about progress to improve healthcare equity.
Following the implementation of NPSG Goal 16, Standard LD.04.03.08 will be deleted. Additionally, the resources in The Joint Commission’s Health Care Equity Accreditation Standards and Resource Center will continue to apply to the new NPSG. The resources contain valuable information for organizations working toward compliance with the healthcare equity requirements.
View the prepublication standards. For questions regarding NPSG Goal 16, contact the Department of Standards and Survey Methods.
The Joint Commission has developed a new Health Care Equity (HCE) Certification program that will be effective July 1, 2023. This advanced certification program will recognize accredited hospitals and critical access hospitals that strive for excellence in their efforts to provide equitable care, treatment, and services.
The HCE Certification also will be available for non-Joint Commission-accredited hospitals and critical access hospitals that comply with applicable federal laws, including U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation.
Improving healthcare equity is a quality and safety priority. The HCE Certification builds on The Joint Commission’s longstanding accreditation requirements that support healthcare equity and the new requirements to reduce healthcare disparities. The new certification requirements emphasize the structures and processes that healthcare organizations need to decrease healthcare disparities in their patient populations; promote diversity, equity, and inclusion for their staff; and address the following topics:
- Leadership
- Collaboration
- Data collection
- Provision of care
- Performance improvement
The Joint Commission also plans to expand its online Health Care Equity Accreditation Standards and Resource Center to provide strategies and tools specific to HCE Certification to assist hospitals and critical access hospitals as they prepare to meet the certification requirements. The resource center includes innovative strategies and focused resources to support standards compliance.
View the prepublication standards. Questions may be directed to the Department of Standards and Survey Methods.
Ana Pujols McKee, MD, FACP, Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, The Joint Commission, took part in a panel discussion on equity in nursing hosted by AARP and the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action.
The discussion was part of a hybrid health equity summit — “Building Equity in Nursing and Nursing Leadership” — that took place in December 2022.
The Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action is an initiative of the AARP Foundation, AARP and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The event — sponsored by The Joint Commission, The Leapfrog Group, UnitedHealth Group, and AHIP — focused on ways to achieve health equity through nursing. Speakers included local, state and national stakeholders.
View videos from the event.
The Joint Commission has appointed three new members to its Board of Commissioners, beginning Jan. 1, 2023. The Board of Commissioners is The Joint Commission’s governing body, providing policy leadership and oversight.
Incoming members of the Board of Commissioners are:
- Andrew Dreyfus, president and chief executive officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA), Boston
- Susan Fox, president and CEO, White Plains Hospital, New York
- Eric (Rick) Schlesinger, advisor to several entrepreneurial healthcare companies
“We are thrilled to welcome Andrew, Susan and Rick to The Joint Commission’s Board of Commissioners,” said Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD, MSHA, MACP, FACMI, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Joint Commission. “I am confident their unique leadership experience in healthcare will bring fresh perspectives and skills to the board. I look forward to working with the new board members as The Joint Commission continues to make strides in addressing our strategic priority areas – health equity, environmental sustainability, and workforce. Together, we can help improve health, care, and value.”
The Joint Commission Board of Commissioners consists of 21 voting members, including physicians, administrators, nurses, employers, quality and innovation experts, and educators. The board includes representatives from each of The Joint Commission’s founding Corporate Members: the AHA, American Medical Association (AMA), American College of Physicians (ACP), American College of Surgeons (ACS) and American Dental Association (ADA). In addition, there are seven public/at-large members and, as an ex-officio member, The Joint Commission president and chief executive officer.
Learn more about the new board members.
Want to learn more about NAHQ’s Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) certification? Register today for a complimentary webinar scheduled for Jan. 26.