The Joint Commission announced its 2008 National Patient Safety Goals yesterday. Some major changes include a new requirement to cut the risks of patient harm associated with the use of anticoagulants, and is applicable to hospitals, critical access hospitals, ambulatory care and office-based surgery centers, home care and long term care facilities.

The Joint Commission also established a new goal and requirement that calls for providers to recognize and respond to unexpected deterioration in a patient's condition. It asks hospitals to develop a method for letting caregivers ask for specialized help if a patient's condition worsens. The Joint Commission also is switching its hand hygiene rules to permit the use of World Health Organization guidelines as an alternative to CDC guidelines.

For more information on the goals:
- read this press release [1] from The Joint Commission
- read the new goals [2]

Related Articles:
Joint Commission plans survey changes. Report [3]
Joint Commission, WHO fight care errors. Report [4]
The Joint Commission seeks input on patient safety goals. Report [5]
Joint Commission plans to collect patient-level data. Report [6]