R3 Report Issue 38: National Patient Safety Goal to Advance Excellent Health Outcomes for All
National Patient Safety Goal to Advance Excellent Health Outcomes for All
Effective July 1, 2023, requirements to reduce differences in health outcomes across patient groups became applicable to organizations in the Joint Commission’s ambulatory health care, behavioral health care and human services, critical access hospital, and hospital accreditation programs.
The standard was initially established in the Leadership (LD) chapter with 6 new elements of performance (EPs), developed to address differences in health outcomes across patient groups. The Leadership standard was then elevated to a National Patient Safety Goal, and moved to NPSG.16.01.01. The NPSG standard and 6 elements of performance (EPs) increases the focus on advancing health outcomes for all as a quality and safety priority. Organizations are required to do the following:
- Identify an individual to lead activities to improve health outcomes for all patient groups
- Assess the patient’s health-related social needs
- Analyze quality and safety data to identify differences in health outcomes
- Develop an action plan
- Take action when the organization does not meet the goals in its action plan
- Inform key stakeholders about progress to improve health outcomes for all
NPSG16.01.01 applies to the following Joint Commission–accredited organizations:
- All critical access hospitals and hospitals
- Ambulatory health care organizations providing primary care within the “Medical Centers” service in the ambulatory health care program (the requirements are not applicable to organizations providing episodic care, dental services, or surgical services)
- Behavioral health care and human services organizations providing “Addictions Services,” “Eating Disorders Treatment,” “Intellectual Disabilities/Developmental Delays,” “Mental Health Services,” and “Primary Physical Health Care” services