Joint Commission revises Safety Goal on HAIs

Editor's Note

The Joint Commission on May 31 announced the revision of requirements for National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG) 7: Reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections. The changes are effective January 1, 2018.

The requirements include:

• NPSG.07.03.01−Multidrug-resistant organisms. The changes help address infection prevention strategies to contain outbreaks, which now include carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae. Education requirements for staff and independent practitioners also have been revised to allow organizations to determine the appropriate time frame for education.
• NPSG.07.04.01−Central line-associated bloodstream infections. A change to elements of performance (EP) 11 specifies the use of an alcoholic chlorhexidine antiseptic for skin preparation during central venous catheter insertion, unless contraindicated. Also, some of the EPs have been reordered and modified to allow organizations to determine the appropriate time frame for educating staff and independent practitioners.

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