Medical Record - Collecting Race and Ethnicity Data
Are there specific categories that should be used to collect race and ethnicity information and which programs must comply with this requirement?
Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.
The requirement to collect race and ethnicity has historically applied to hospitals (Standard RC.02.01.01, EP 25). As of January 1, 2023, it will also apply to organizations in the ambulatory health care (RC.02.01.01, EP 31), behavioral health and human services (RC.02.01.01, EP 26) and critical access hospital (RC.02.01.01, EP 25) programs.
The intent of the requirement is to collect race and ethnicity information to identify potential health care disparities, and organizations have the flexibility to determine which categories of race and ethnicity are appropriate for the population they serve. The Joint Commission does not specify which categories an organization should use to collect race and ethnicity data.
While The Joint Commission requirement is not prescriptive of which categories of race and ethnicity should be collected, many state reporting entities and payers do specify these requirements. Organizations are encouraged to use, at a minimum, the race and ethnicity categories from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and US Census Bureau, and to consider collecting ethnicity categories based on the population to obtain additional granularity. Resources such as the Institute of Medicine report Race, Ethnicity, and Language Data: Standardization for Health Care Quality Improvement and the Health Research and Educational Trust Disparities Toolkit provide additional guidance on collecting race and ethnicity information.
Resources
Hasnain-Wynia, R., Pierce, D., Haque, A., Hedges Greising, C., Prince, V., & Reiter, J. (2007). Health research and educational trust disparities toolkit. American Hospital Association
Manchanda, R., Brown, M., & Cummings, D. (2022). Racial and health equity concrete STEPS for health systems. Translate your commitment to racial and health equity into action in your health system. American Medical Association STEPS forward
Ulmer C., McFadden B., Nerenz D.: Race, Ethnicity, and Language Data: Standardization for Health Care Quality Improvement. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2009. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2021). Building an organizational response to health disparities
The requirement to collect race and ethnicity has historically applied to hospitals (Standard RC.02.01.01, EP 25). As of January 1, 2023, it will also apply to organizations in the ambulatory health care (RC.02.01.01, EP 31), behavioral health and human services (RC.02.01.01, EP 26) and critical access hospital (RC.02.01.01, EP 25) programs.
The intent of the requirement is to collect race and ethnicity information to identify potential health care disparities, and organizations have the flexibility to determine which categories of race and ethnicity are appropriate for the population they serve. The Joint Commission does not specify which categories an organization should use to collect race and ethnicity data.
While The Joint Commission requirement is not prescriptive of which categories of race and ethnicity should be collected, many state reporting entities and payers do specify these requirements. Organizations are encouraged to use, at a minimum, the race and ethnicity categories from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and US Census Bureau, and to consider collecting ethnicity categories based on the population to obtain additional granularity. Resources such as the Institute of Medicine report Race, Ethnicity, and Language Data: Standardization for Health Care Quality Improvement and the Health Research and Educational Trust Disparities Toolkit provide additional guidance on collecting race and ethnicity information.
Resources
Hasnain-Wynia, R., Pierce, D., Haque, A., Hedges Greising, C., Prince, V., & Reiter, J. (2007). Health research and educational trust disparities toolkit. American Hospital Association
Manchanda, R., Brown, M., & Cummings, D. (2022). Racial and health equity concrete STEPS for health systems. Translate your commitment to racial and health equity into action in your health system. American Medical Association STEPS forward
Ulmer C., McFadden B., Nerenz D.: Race, Ethnicity, and Language Data: Standardization for Health Care Quality Improvement. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2009. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2021). Building an organizational response to health disparities
Manual:
Hospital and Hospital Clinics
Chapter:
Record of Care Treatment and Services RC
New or updated requirements last added: January 23, 2023.
New or updated requirements may be based on revisions to current accreditation requirements, regulatory changes, and/or an updated interpretation in response to industry changes. Substantive changes to accreditation requirements are also published in the Perspective Newsletter that is available to all Joint Commission accredited organizations.
Last reviewed by Standards Interpretation: January 23, 2023
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 February 29, 2024
with update notes of: Editorial changes only
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.
Get Extra Help with Books and E-books
Browse our gallery of books and e-books to find trusted prep and readiness resources, practical checklists and toolkits, and resources on specialized health care topics.
Stay Informed with Online Education
Online education is the most convenient and cost-effective way to educate your staff and minimize expenses without the need to leave your organization.
Reach Your Safety Goals with eProducts
Assessing and sustaining compliance with accreditation standards or CMS CoPs can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Rely on our proven software solutions developed by our team of industry experts.