DNV and Joint Commission update their physical environment standards

Updated standards from DNV Healthcare USA Inc. and the Joint Commission help to align both accrediting organizations with other existing requirements. 

DNV publishes Revision 26-0 

The DNV International Accreditation Standards Revision 26-0 includes important updates to those seeking or renewing DNV accreditation outside of the United States. The updates introduce several global changes that affect physical environment requirements.

Changes were made based on feedback from the International Society for Quality in Health Care to more closely align with international accreditation standards. It also includes revisions to address gaps and other issues that were identified in the field and during surveys.

Throughout the document, the terminology “hospital” was replaced with “organisation” to include outpatient sites, clinics, satellite facilities and other care locations.

A new optional section on telemedicine was added to the standards. This section includes requirements for equipment reliability, utilities and secure environments.

Within the Physical Environment (PE) Chapter, two new standard requirements (SRs) within the PE.4 Security Management System section stand out:

• SR.7. The organisation shall develop a system that provides for a secure environment where physical and remote access is managed and protected.
• SR.8. The organisation shall protect network infrastructure through appropriate cyber defence (e.g., network segmentation and segregation).

The full Revision 26-0 document, which went into effect Jan. 29 for new applicants and will go into effect April 29 for existing customers, can be downloaded and reviewed.

Joint Commission updates standards based on NFPA requirements

Joint Commission has announced updates to the hospital and critical access hospital accreditation programs, including updates on three elements of performance (EPs) within the Physical Environment (PE) Chapter.

• PE.04.01.01, EP1. Note 3, which addressed documentation requirements for all inspecting activities, was removed from this (EP); however documentation requirements for some activities were added to PE.04.01.01, EP 2.
• PE.04.01.01, EP2. Note 1 and note 2 were added to the standard regarding documentation requirements for fire/smoke detection, alarm and extinguishing system; and all other equipment inspection and testing. In summary, those components that have a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) testing or inspection requirement shall be documented per the applicable NFPA standard and all other inspection, testing and maintenance activities must be documented per manufacturer’s instructions for use or per an alternative equipment maintenance (AEM) program.
• PE.04.01.03, EP3. The standard now includes a note that clarifies that ITM of the hospital’s emergency power system shall be per the requirements of both NFPA 110, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems, and NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®.

The revised EPs go into effect on March 1. The full list of changes can be found here.