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JCAHO makes changes to electrolytes goal

Pharmacy Regulation Resource, September 7, 2005

The JCAHO will retire a National Patient Safety Goal regulating concentrated electrolytes in patient-care areas as of January 1, 2006, but it won't disappear entirely.

The commission instead will survey the goal under standard MM.2.20, element of performance #9, which requires organizations to remove concentrated electrolytes from care areas or units unless patient safety is at risk because the electrolyte is not immediately available, JCAHO spokesperson Mark Forstneger says.

The move was expected when the commission announced its 2006 National Patient Safety Goals in May, but the JCAHO had not previously said under which standard the retired goal would be surveyed.

Tip: Have a pharmacist conduct monthly checks to find concentrated electrolytes, Glenn Krasker, MHSA, president of Critical Management Solutions in Wilmington, DE, said during an August 9 HCPro audioconference on the 2006 goals.

"Don't take this [goal] entirely off your radar screen," Krasker said.

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