While the Joint Commission suspended official survey and accreditation activity at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization says it’s tested a virtual process for life safety and environment of care surveys at two facilities in March, according to an article on the Health Facilities Management website.
The Joint Commission said the pilot may mark a new direction for the organization as it continues to work to streamline its surveying process.
In June, The Joint Commission submitted a proposal to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking to make virtual technology an approved part of its survey processes.
The proposal hasn’t yet been approved by the CMS.