Joint Commission clarifies survey and review protocols

After curtailing all on-site accreditation surveys and reviews in mid-March, the Joint Commission clarified what is and is not being evaluated in its resumption of these activities in June. Reviews will assess how organizations adapted their infection control and emergency management processes in their response to the pandemic in addition to focusing on current practices to ensure the continued provision of safe care and a safe work environment. Criteria for determining whether an organization was ready for survey or review included determining whether the organization had ceased emergency operations, closed their temporary surge capacity facilities or found staff to be positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days. (Joint Commission Online story, 7/1/20)