TJC revises pain assessment and management requirements for accredited hospitals

The Joint Commission (TJC) recently announced implementation of new and revised pain assessment and management standards for hospitals accredited by TJC. The new and revised standards are effective January 1, 2018, and include the following new requirements:

• Identifying a leader or leadership team that is responsible for pain management and safe opioid prescribing

• Involving patients in developing their treatment plans and setting realistic expectations and measurable goals

• Promoting safe opioid use by identifying high-risk patients

• Monitoring high-risk patients

• Facilitating clinician access to prescription drug monitoring program databases

• Conducting performance improvement activities focusing on pain assessment and management to increase safety and quality for patients

More information regarding the new and revised standards is provided in TJC’s Prepublication Standards. Questions may be directed to Ms. Trina Crow, RN, MJ, associate project director, Department of Standards and Survey Methods, TJC, at tcrow@joint commission.org.