Q&A: Required risk assessments

Q: On what topics does The Joint Commission require hospitals to conduct risk assessments?

A: The Joint Commission requires organizations to conduct risk assessments. National patient Safety Goal (NPSG) 15.01.01 requires a risk assessment for determining suicide prevention as well as emergency management and infection control. Risk assessments as reviewed here are not the same as the Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) required under the Leadership standards, which are a much more complex process.

The following are required Joint Commission risk assessment topics:

• Suicide
• Safety and Security: Violence in the workplace
• Infection Control Program
• Infection Control: Multidrug-resistant Organisms (MDRO)
• Infection Control: Construction and Renovation Projects
• Falls: Assessment and Prevention Program
• Fire/Life Safety

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