The Joint Commission is revising its National Patient Safety Goal on anticoagulation therapy, effective July 1, 2019. The change will include performance requirements to reduce the risk of harm to patients using anticoagulants. The accrediting body says the change was prompted by an increase in adverse drug events associated with direct oral anticoagulants.
“The NPSG will include eight elements of performance (EPs) — specific actions, processes, or structures that must be implemented to achieve the NPSG — applicable to all Joint Commission-accredited hospitals, critical access hospitals, nursing care centers, and medical centers (accredited under the ambulatory healthcare program),” TJC announced.
The NPSG revision will require the healthcare organization to minimize risks by using evidence-based guidelines and approved protocols when initiating and monitoring anticoagulation therapy, reversing anticoagulation and managing bleeding events, and managing patients on oral anticoagulants during perioperative periods.
The revision also will require the healthcare organization to have a written policy for monitoring and adjusting anticoagulation therapy, starting with baseline lab tests and continuing with periodic testing during treatment.
The report on the updated NPSG is available online at: https://bit.ly/2SKfqrJ.
