The Joint Commission permits organizations to perform assessment strategies they consider to be suitable for mitigating or eliminating the risk.
Here are five things to know about risk assessment requirements:
1. A non-mandatory pro-active risk assessment model is one option organizations can choose. An example of this model is provided in the Leadership chapter.
2. Other risk assessment tools include root cause analysis, failure mode and effect analysis and plan/do/check/act process. Combinations or variations of these models may also meet an organization's needs.
3. Organizations should report risk assessment results to the multi-disciplinary team responsible for the Environment of Care Committee, and the Infection Control Committee if representation isn't shared between the two.
4. Providers should develop organizational policy and procedures, train and notify appropriate staff and implement some method to assess effectiveness.
5. The Joint Commission's survey process will review the risk assessment and related policies and procedures for effectiveness. The tracer process will evaluate proper implementation.