CAH revisions resulting from CMS review of deeming renewal go into effect Aug. 27
Effective Aug. 27, The Joint Commission is making several changes to the elements of performance (EPs) for its accredited critical access hospitals (CAHs) to better align with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Conditions of Participation (CoPs).
The changes — which were part of CMS’ review of The Joint Commission’s CAH deeming renewal application — include:
- New EPs to address CMS’ definitions of rural health network and personnel qualifications.
- New EPs addressing the expectation for compliance with the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101-2012) and the Health Care Facilities Code (NFPA 99-2012).
- Revisions to the Environment of Care (EC) chapter removing the references to alternative equipment maintenance (AEM) programs and manufacturer’s recommendations from the requirements for equipment maintenance. The AEM and manufacturer’s recommendations language was removed from the EPs to clarify that maintenance of medical and utilities equipment must be performed, but it is up to the critical access hospital to determine how it will perform that maintenance, whether it be through manufacturer-recommended maintenance activities and schedules or the use of an AEM program. Guidance related to the specific requirements for an AEM program will be added in the July 1 update to both the surveyor and organization survey activity guides.
View the prepublication standards.