Coming soon to an accredited org near you: updated ESC forms

In a bid to make it easier for healthcare organizations to keep themselves in line with all the requirements that accreditation entails, The Joint Commission has updated its Evidence of Standards Compliance (ESC) form.
 
Psychiatric hospitals and ambulatory care centers began using the form in April, and all other programs that undergo surveys or reviews are expected to begin using it this month, Caroline Heskett, MPH, business transformation leader in The Joint Commission’s Division of Accreditation & Certification Operations, wrote Wednesday in a blog post.
 
The simplified design aims to more clearly articulate expectations, and it provides an overview of the biggest questions accredited organizations must answer to keep their compliance on track, Heskett wrote.
 
The Joint Commission will publish examples this month of completed ESC forms deemed acceptable for each program type.