Reminder: New requirements that are effective January 2024
The Joint Commission would like to remind accredited organizations about the following new or revised requirements that became effective Jan. 1, 2024.
- New, voluntary Sustainable Healthcare Certification (SHC) program to advance decarbonization in healthcare, applicable to all Joint Commission-accredited critical access hospitals and hospitals and non-Joint Commission-accredited critical access hospitals and hospitals that comply with applicable federal laws. See E-dition® or the October 2023 issue of Perspectives.
- Revised Medication Compounding (MC) chapter for home care organizations and Medication Compounding Certification program to align with US Pharmacopeia (USP) revisions for medication compounding. See E-dition or the July 2023 issue of Perspectives.
- Updated Medication Management (MM) and National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG) requirements related to medication compounding for critical access hospitals and hospitals to better align with national standards of practice while continuing to align with regulation and CMS guidance. See E-dition or the September 2023 issue of Perspectives.
- Revised hospital requirements to align with changes made in response to the critical access hospital deeming renewal application, including new elements of performance (EPs) that address the expectation for compliance with the Life Safety Code® (NFPA 101-2012) and Health Care Facilities Code (NFPA 99-2012). Also, revisions to the Environment of Care (EC) chapter, removing references to alternative equipment maintenance (AEM) programs and manufacturer’s recommendations from the requirements for equipment maintenance. See E-dition or the September 2023 issue of Perspectives.
- New and revised requirements for the advanced disease-specific care Acute Stroke Ready, Primary Stroke Center, Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center, and Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification programs to help hospitals improve safety and the quality of care for individuals diagnosed with stroke. See E-dition or the July 2023 issue of Perspectives.
- Revised requirements for the advanced disease-specific care Heart Failure Certification program to align with the latest clinical practice guidelines for heart failure. See E-dition® or the July 2023 issue of Perspectives.