The Joint Commission has proposed new accreditation requirements to help hospitals address effective communication, cultural competence and patient-centered care, according to a Joint Commission news release.
The 18-month project explores how diversity, culture, language and health literacy issues can be better incorporated into current Joint Commission standards or drafted into new requirements, according to the release. The project is expected to continue through Jan. 2010. The earliest the new requirements will go into effect is Jan. 2011.
The Commission is asking for feedback on these proposed changes, "regarding the value of the proposed requirements and the ability of the field to implement the requirements," according to the release. Information will be gathered for six weeks, starting June 8.
Read the Joint Commission's proposed new accreditation requirements and leave feedback.