Content Description

 The Joint Commission Perspectives® is your primary source for changes to accreditation and certification requirements and Joint Commission initiatives. Published monthly, Perspectives is the digital resource you can rely on to know what and when changes are expected for your health care setting. Perspectives ensures you stay current on the following topics:

• Additions/revisions/deletions to:
  • Joint Commission standards and elements of performance
  • Policies
  • Eligibility requirements
  • Performance measures
  • Survey process method
• Announcements of:
  • Newly-developed accreditation or certification programs
  • Customer engagement initiatives
  • Collaborations with health care associations
  • Requests for comment

Publication in Perspectives is considered official notification of changes and updates to Joint Commission–accredited and –certified organizations.

Key Content

In addition to timely coverage of standards and survey/review process changes, informative regular features provide expert direction and commentary. Perspectives helps organizations maintain continuous compliance. It updates organizations on standards, survey and review processes, policy changes, patient safety, error reduction, and other new and evolving initiatives and policies requiring the attention and action of accredited and certified organizations. Here’s some of what you’ll gain from Perspectives:

• Joint Commission standards, policies, eligibility, performance measurement requirements, and survey process
• Corrections and clarifications to previously published material
• News about programs, initiatives, collaborations, and customer engagement activities at The Joint Commission
• Joint Commission recognition programs
• Top compliance issues in accredited and certified organizations
• Sentinel event statistics for accredited organizations

Key Features 

• Joint Commission Requirements are articles that highlight updates, revisions, and changes to Joint Commission accreditation and certification standards, processes, and initiatives. See what is now required and get the information you need to comply in your organization. Look for the Joint Commission Requirements gold seal next to these articles.
• Sentinel Event Alert showcases the latest Sentinel Event Alert from The Joint Commission. Learn about pressing risks to patient safety and get risk-reduction strategies and other recommendations to improve care. (All Sentinel Event Alerts are available on The Joint Commission’s website.)
• Consistent Interpretation pairs actual Joint Commission surveyor observations on specific accreditation requirements with guidance from the Standards Interpretation Group to support your compliance efforts. Learn what surveyors are seeing and how to address those challenging compliance issues.
• In Sight allows you to monitor changes to standards, survey and review processes, and key initiatives before they are approved, so you are always in-the-know about what’s happening at The Joint Commission. See what’s In Development, In Field Review, and Approved.

Standards: All accreditation and certification standards as applicable

Settings: Ambulatory Care, Behavioral Health Care, Critical Access Hospital, Home Care, Hospital, Office-Based Surgery, Nursing Care Centers, Laboratory

Audience: Perspectives is primarily intended for staff who are responsible for accreditation-and/or certification-related activities and performance improvement, administration leaders, nurse leaders, and physician leaders in all health care settings. This newsletter is also relevant to lawyers, government entities, and health care consultants who are interested in Joint Commission accreditation and certification.

About Joint Commission

The mission of The Joint Commission is to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. Its vision is that all people always experience the safest, highest quality, best-value health care across all settings.