Accreditation

JCAHO releases proposed 2007 National Patient Safety Goals

Briefings on The Joint Commission, January 1, 2006

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Learning objectives: After reading this article, you will be able to

1. list potential 2007 National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG)

2. explain steps to take when assessing a patient's suicide risk

3. discuss who should be members of a rapid response team

Rapid response teams, patient suicide prevention, worker fatigue, and disruptive behavior are among the topics covered by eight proposed 2007 NPSGs for hospitals and critical-access programs released November 29, 2005.

The JCAHO posted the draft on its Web site ( www.jcaho.org ) along with goals for its other accreditation programs. Organizations have until January 8 to comment on the proposals (go to www.jcaho.org/accredited+organizations/hospitals/index.htm to view the proposed goals).

The JCAHO will consider comments from the field review after the January 8 deadline. The commission will most likely release the final goals in the spring, setting an implementation deadline of January 1, 2007.

Eight new proposals

The field review for hospitals includes eight proposed goals and requirements:

  • Goal 3E -Reducing the likelihood of patient harm associated with the use of anticoagulants

  • Goal 15A -Reducing the risk of patient harm from falls

  • Goal 15B -Preventing healthcare-associated pressure ulcers

  • Goal 15E -Identifying patients at risk for suicide

  • Goal 16 -Discouraging disruptive behavior within the organization

  • Goal 17 -Providing orientation to temporary or agency workers

  • Goal 18 -Using teams to respond to changes in a patient's condition

  • Goal 19 -Preventing patient harm associated with healthcare worker fatigue

    Missing are goals covering bar coding-which was first proposed for 2005 and rumored to be considered for 2007-and regulating a culture of safety. The umbrella Goal 15 (organizations identify safety risks inherent in their population) comes close to previous proposals on a culture of safety.

    • This is an excerpt from a member only article. To read the article in its entirety, please login or subscribe to Briefings on The Joint Commission.

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