The Joint Commission approves revisions for psych hospital standards

The Joint Commission this week announced revisions for prepublication for psychiatric hospitals. Among the revisions are Standard LD.04.03.01, which states that a hospital provides services that meet patient needs. In Element of Performance (EP) A 1, The Joint Commission notes that when medical/surgical diagnostic and treatment services are not available within a hospital, it must have an agreement with an outside source for these services. The hospital must also ensure that the services are immediately available, or an agreement needs to be established for transferring patients to a general hospital that participates in the Medicare program.

Standard PC.01.02.133, EP C 6 states that based on the patient’s age and needs, the assessment for patients who receive treatment for emotional and behavioral disorders will include the following:

• Psychiatric evaluation
• Intellectual, neuropsychological, and personality testing
• A neurological examination of the patient at admission physical examination, when indicated.

The revisions will take effect February 1, 2015.

Source: The Joint Commission