Potential 2009 Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG) Requirements and Implementation Expectations Posted for Comment

The Joint Commission seeks your comments on potential new National Patient Safety Goals, Requirements, and Implementation Expectations being considered for 2009. Your opinions are a very important input into the selection process for 2009 Goals and Requirements. These are posted for comment now through February 27, 2008.

Of particular interest, note the following item, under "Hospitals & Critical Access Hospitals":

Requirement 1C
Eliminate transfusion errors related to patient misidentification.

Implementation Expectations for Requirement 1C:

1. Before initiating a blood product transfusion, the patient is matched to the blood product and the blood product is matched to the order using either a two person verification process or an automated identification technology such as bar coding.
2. When using a two-person verification process, one individual conducting the identification verification must be the qualified tranfusionist who will administer the blood product to the patient.
3. When using a two-person verification process, the second individual conducting the identification verification must be qualified to perform this task.

Visit the Joint Commission website HERE to view all the new and revised Goals, Requirements and Implementation Expectations under consideration for 2009, and links to provide feedback.