JCI Accreditation News: New Rules, Policy, and Protocol Effective 1 January 2009

The Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation Committee has approved several changes to its Hospital Accreditation Decision Rules, Focused Survey Policy, and Threat to Health and Safety Protocol, all of which are effective for all JCI–accredited organizations starting 1 January 2009. The entire revised Rules, Policy, and Protocol are available for free download in electronic format below.

The Decision Rules are applicable for hospital accreditation programs only, however, the other polices are applicable for all accreditation/certification programs.

At the August 2008 meeting, the Accreditation Committee reviewed, discussed, and encouraged action on a series of planned activities that would, in combination, increase the rigor of JCI accreditation. More actions are scheduled for the future, including modifying both the accreditation report preparation process as well as the accreditation decision and follow-up processes. The changes to the report process are now in the final steps of development and will be communicated early in 2009; the date for implementation of changes in the report process will likely be mid 2009.