TJC Seeks Comment on Proposed Changes to Antimicrobial Stewardship Standard

By A.J. Plunkett

The Joint Commission (TJC) has proposed revisions to its Medication Management standard MM.09.01.01 on antimicrobial stewardship, such as strengthening some elements of performance,  adding three new ones, and reordering others.

TJC is asking for your input on the changes as part of a standard field review. Comments will be accepted through September 15.

Among other things, the changes include requiring a hospital to have a stewardship program as an organizational priority, that it allocates staffing, financial and technology resources to support the program, and that quality data is reported to hospital leadership.

TJC has set up a survey to solicit input and asks that you read the proposed revisions thoroughly first.

You can find information about all active field reviews on proposed changes at TJC’s website.

A.J. Plunkett is editor of Inside Accreditation & Quality, an HCPro publication.