Reports From the Field: JCAHO revises scoring for one of its patient safety goals
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has changed how it scores organizations on its National Patient Safety Goal to eliminate wrong-site, wrong-patient, wrong-procedure surgery. The goal includes a recommendation that organizations implement a process to mark the surgical site and involve the patient in the marking process.
JCAHO said it will continue to require organizations to mark surgical sites involving right/left distinction, multiple structures (such as fingers and toes), or levels (such as the spine) to comply with the recommendation. However, it will no longer require the surgical site to be marked for other types of procedures, including midline sternotomies for open-heart surgery, cesareans, laparotomy and laparoscopy, and interventional procedures for which the site of insertion is not predetermined, such as cardiac catheterization procedures. JCAHO plans to provide details on the change soon at its web site, www.jcaho.org. Click on "National Patient Safety Goals & FAQs."
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has changed how it scores organizations on its National Patient Safety Goal to eliminate wrong-site, wrong-patient, wrong-procedure surgery.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content