Environment of Care / Safety Committee - Criteria
What are The Joint Commission standards with regards to Environment of Care Committee requirements?
Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.
The Joint Commission standards do not require an environment of care (or safety) committee. Specific tools used to maintain compliance, like a multidisciplinary committee or environmental tours, are no longer specifically required.
EC.01.01.01 requires an individual or individuals to manage risk, coordinate risk reduction activities in the physical environment, collect deficiency information, and disseminate summaries of actions and results. This is typically accomplished by a committee of appropriately qualified and responsible personnel with expertise in the applicable portions of the environment of care chapter, to include safety, security, hazardous material and waste, fire safety, medical equipment management and utility systems management.
Depending upon the size and complexity of the organization, these duties may be performed by one-person, multiple persons, or persons assigned multiple duties. By identifying one or more individuals to coordinate and manage risk assessment and reduction activities, organizations can be more confident that they have minimized the potential for harm and have effectively managed the required aspects of the environment of care.
The Leadership Chapter establishes reporting relationships between leadership and responsible entities. If used, the make-up of the EOC committee, the frequency of meeting, the agenda items, and the reporting requirements are to be assessed based upon the circumstances of the organization to effectively monitor, analyze and improve the environment. The organization must be able to demonstrate on-going activity throughout the reporting period to remain aware of the dynamic circumstances of a health care organization, to be able to assess situations and make needed changes, and to make an accurate evaluation of effectiveness at the end of the reporting period.
Although not prescriptive, if the responsible group meets less frequently than quarterly, the survey process would likely require a satisfactory explanation of how it can effectively manage the dynamic character of a healthcare organization. The survey process will also validate that meetings are conducted in accordance with established policies, to include established frequencies and attendance requirements.
The Joint Commission standards do not require an environment of care (or safety) committee. Specific tools used to maintain compliance, like a multidisciplinary committee or environmental tours, are no longer specifically required.
EC.01.01.01 requires an individual or individuals to manage risk, coordinate risk reduction activities in the physical environment, collect deficiency information, and disseminate summaries of actions and results. This is typically accomplished by a committee of appropriately qualified and responsible personnel with expertise in the applicable portions of the environment of care chapter, to include safety, security, hazardous material and waste, fire safety, medical equipment management and utility systems management.
Depending upon the size and complexity of the organization, these duties may be performed by one-person, multiple persons, or persons assigned multiple duties. By identifying one or more individuals to coordinate and manage risk assessment and reduction activities, organizations can be more confident that they have minimized the potential for harm and have effectively managed the required aspects of the environment of care.
The Leadership Chapter establishes reporting relationships between leadership and responsible entities. If used, the make-up of the EOC committee, the frequency of meeting, the agenda items, and the reporting requirements are to be assessed based upon the circumstances of the organization to effectively monitor, analyze and improve the environment. The organization must be able to demonstrate on-going activity throughout the reporting period to remain aware of the dynamic circumstances of a health care organization, to be able to assess situations and make needed changes, and to make an accurate evaluation of effectiveness at the end of the reporting period.
Although not prescriptive, if the responsible group meets less frequently than quarterly, the survey process would likely require a satisfactory explanation of how it can effectively manage the dynamic character of a healthcare organization. The survey process will also validate that meetings are conducted in accordance with established policies, to include established frequencies and attendance requirements.
Manual:
Hospital and Hospital Clinics
Chapter:
Environment of Care EC
Last reviewed by Standards Interpretation: October 19, 2021
Represents the most recent date that the FAQ was reviewed (e.g. annual review).
First published date: April 11, 2016
This Standards FAQ was first published on this date.
This page was last updated on May 09, 2023
with update notes of: Review only, FAQ is current
Types of changes and an explanation of change type:
Editorial changes only: Format changes only. No changes to content. |
Review only, FAQ is current: Periodic review completed, no changes to content. |
Reflects new or updated requirements: Changes represent new or revised requirements.
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