Proposed Revisions to the Infection Prevention and Control Chapter for the Critical Access Hospital and Hospital Programs Field Review
The Joint Commission is revising its “Infection Control” (IC) requirements for accredited hospitals and critical access hospitals to communicate core expectations for infection prevention and control programs. The proposed IC chapter requirements will replace the current IC chapter requirements.
The primary goal of the revisions is to align the standards and elements of performance (EPs) more closely with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Conditions of Participation and to streamline the chapter to be more cohesive and concise.
The Joint Commission is proposing new IC requirements on preparedness for high-consequence diseases or special pathogens, which will replace the current standard IC.01.06.01 on preparing for an influx of potentially infectious patients. These new requirements are based on the available guidance documents (e.g., by the CDC and the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC)) and recommendations from the Joint Commission’s technical advisory panel on emerging infectious disease preparedness.
Step 1: Read the Proposed Standards
- Proposed Revisions to the Infection Control Chapter for the Critical Access Hospital Program
- Proposed Revisions to the Infection Prevention Control Chapter for the Hospital Program
Step 2: Provide Your Comments
Tell us what you think. Please submit your comments on the proposed requirements focused on infection control via the online survey, which will take approximately 30-35 minutes to complete.
If you are unable to complete this survey in one sitting, the survey tool will automatically save your responses. The survey must be started and completed using the same computer.
Comments will be gathered for 6 weeks beginning on May 24, 2023 and ending July 5, 2023.
Questions?
Natalya Rosenberg, PhD, RN, Project Director, Department of Standards and Survey Methods at .