The Joint Commission announces hospital program revisions to align with CAH changes and CMS CoPs

Editor's Note

The Joint Commission, on August 22, announced changes to its hospital accreditation program to better align with critical access hospital (CAH) program changes and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation (CoPs), effective January 1, 2024.

The changes include:

• New Elements of Performance on compliance with the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Life Safety Code (NFPA 101-2012) and Health Care Facilities Code (NFPA 99-2012).
• Revisions to the Environment of Care chapter that remove references to "alternative equipment maintenance" programs and "manufacturers' recommendations" from equipment maintenance requirements.