Long-Term Care

Joint Commission announces 2008 patient safety goals

Contemporary Long-Term Care Weekly, June 28, 2007

The Joint Commission last week announced its 2008 National Patient Safety Goals, including new anticoagulant therapy requirements that affect long-term care facilities. The Joint Commission's rationale is to improve the safety of using medications, hoping to reduce the risk of patient harm stemming from anticoagulant therapy, according to a Joint Commission press release.

The Joint's new goals will also ask hospitals and critical access hospitals to select a "suitable method" for caregivers to request specialists when a patient's condition worsens. All new goals will have a one-year phase in period, with full implementation scheduled for January 2009. Head to http://www.jointcommission.org for more on the goals.

Most Popular

Related Articles