The Joint Commission launched a new telehealth accreditation program on July 1. The accreditation is available for hospitals, ambulatory organizations, and behavioral health organizations. It replaces the commission’s current telehealth and technology-based accreditation products.
“As telehealth continues to evolve, it was imperative to create a new accreditation program to provide a framework to support the integrity of patient safety regardless of the care setting,” said Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD, president and chief executive officer of The Joint Commission enterprise. “Our new telehealth accreditation program helps organizations standardize care and reduce risk so that all patients, including those obtaining services remotely, receive the safest, highest-quality care with outcomes consistent with traditional settings.”
Developed for organizations that provide care exclusively through telehealth, the program contains requirements similar to many other Joint Commission accreditations, with the addition of the following standards:
- Emergency management for providing remote care
- Provider and patient education about telehealth platforms and technology
- Telehealth equipment, devices, and connectivity standards
Based on the services an organization provides or the mode by which they provide the services, standards may be adjusted.
Source: The Joint Commission, April 23, 2024.
