Healthcare construction risk assessment is indispensable due to the unique and complex nature of healthcare environments, where patient well-being and operational integrity are paramount.

CMS has directed all nine accrediting organizations (AOs) to discontinue the practice of providing hospitals or other healthcare organizations with even a 15-minute warning before surveyors arrive onsite. Additionally, CMS has eliminated blackout dates.

Starting July 1, 2022, updated Emergency Management standards will be enforced across all hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission, including critical access hospitals. The Joint Commission initiated a comprehensive review of its "Emergency Management" (EM) chapter in 2019.

For an extended period, ensuring compliance with fire drill scheduling, particularly concerning the timing discrepancies between drills, has posed a recurring challenge highlighted during Joint Commission surveys.

An effective infection prevention and control plan should include several key components to ensure comprehensive protection against infectious diseases. Here are some essential elements that such a plan should encompass:

The documentation mandated by the Hospital and Critical Access Hospital accreditation programs for Life Safety (LS) and specific Environment of Care (EC) standards is meticulously outlined in the Joint Commission accompanying Document List and Review Tool.