JCAHO announces new patient safety goals

On May 31, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) announced the 2006 National Patient Safety Goals and Requirements. The new goals include "improving the effectiveness of communication among caregivers," especially when concerning patient hand-off situations.

The goals and requirements, which apply to more than 15,000 JCAHO accredited and certified health care organizations, also calls for the improvement of medication labeling, preventing pressure ulcers, and involving patients and their families in the care process.

The full text of the 2006 Goals and Requirements is posted on the JCAHO website, www.jcaho.org.  Compliance with the requirements is a condition of continuing JCAHO accreditation.