The Joint Commission has published the top 5 requirements identified most frequently as "not compliant" during surveys and reviews performed in 2020, and infection control standards made the list for many programs.

The breakdown is as follows:

Ambulatory Health Care

Infection control standards take the top two spots:

1) IC.02.02.01: The organization reduces the risk of infections associated with medical equipment, devices, and supplies.

2) IC.02.01.01: The organization implements infection prevention and control activities.

Nursing Care Centers

An infection control standard took the second spot:

2) IC.02.01.01: The organization implements its infection prevention and control plan.

Home Care

An infection control standard took the first spot:

1) IC.02.01.01: The organization implements the infection prevention and control activities it has planned.

Office-Based Surgery

Infection control standards take the top two spots:

1) IC.02.02.01: The practice reduces the risk of infections associated with medical equipment, devices, and supplies.

2) IC.02.01.01: The practice implements infection prevention and control plan.

Hospitals

Infection control standards were second and third:

2) IC.02.02.01: The hospital reduces the risk of infections associated with medical equipment, devices, and supplies.

3) IC.02.01.01: The hospital implements its infection prevention and control plan.

Critical Access Hospitals

Infection control standards took the first and third spots:

1) IC.02.02.01: The critical access hospital reduces the risk of infections associated with medical equipment, devices, and supplies.

3) IC.02.01.01: The critical access hospital implements its infection prevention and control plan.

Access the full lists for these and other programs in the latest issue of Joint Commission Online.

The Infection Control Consulting Services (ICCS) team has a lengthy track record of success with assisting healthcare providers with preparation for surveys, mitigation of deficiencies, and development of plans of correction. To learn more, contact ICCS.