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.


Joint Commission International Threat to Health and Safety Protocol

The first condition listed in the At-Risk for Denial of Accreditation Policy (see more here) states "an immediate threat to patient/public health or staff safety exists within the organization"; this condition will be managed through the Joint Commission International Threat to Health and Safety Protocol. The proposed changes to the Protocol incorporate the new proposed classification of organizations as "At Risk for Denial of Accreditation." The most significant change to the Protocol is this new classification of organizations when a threat to health and safety is deemed to exist. The current Protocol classifies organizations as Denied Accreditation prior to an evaluation of the conditions, and then requires the Accreditation Committee to confirm that decision or reverse the decision based on evaluation findings. The proposed changes to the Protocol carry out the same process and achieve the same impact only with the new classification of At Risk for Denial of Accreditation.

Click here to download the new protocol.

JCI Link For more information about any JCI rule, policy, or protocol changes, contact JCI at JCIAccreditation@jcrinc.com.