The Joint Commission has added new and revised standing requirements for accreditation of both critical access hospitals and hospitals for infection control procedures, the organization announced Jan. 10.
The revisions were prompted by the accrediting body's recognition of the changing healthcare landscape and are being implemented "to help organizations develop a strong framework for their IC programs, while aligning requirements more closely to law and regulation" as well as CMS' Conditions of Participation, the release states.
It added two new standards to "enhance critical access hospitals' and hospitals' preparedness for high-consequence infectious diseases or special pathogens."
In addition to the changes, The Joint Commission also removed several elements of accreditation — 70% — "that do not add value" so hospitals can focus on the elements that strengthen other protocols and procedures related to infection control.
Waste reduction, and responding to an influx of infectious patients were two of the elements to be removed in the revisions since these are covered by other emergency management techniques.
These changes will take effect July 1.
The latest revisions to accreditation requirements by The Joint Commission are part of an ongoing effort from the organization to help hospitals focus more on strengthening essential policies and practices.