The Joint Commission recently considered adding new telehealth standards relating to direct-to-patient services, but ultimately tabled them after a brief pilot period.
Here's three facts:
1. The Joint Commission already evaluates telehealth encounters in the hospital and ambulatory setting. The new standards would've related to direct-to-patient services. After data collection and public comment, the feedback indicated The Joint Commission did not need new standards.
2. The Joint Commission addresses direct-to-patient services in seven standard chapters including:
- Human resources
- Information management
- Leadership
- Provision of Care, treatment and services
- Performance improvement
- Record of care, treatment and services
- Rights and responsibilities of the individual
3. The Joint Commission is planning changes to accommodate direct-to-patient telehealth including:
- Enhancing survey methodology to incorporate direct-to-patient services through existing requirements
- Developing surveyor guidance to review the quality and safety issues direct-to-patient telehealth poses
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