Joint Commission Encourages Reporting of Safety Concerns

Physicians and medical staff members who have concerns about the safety and quality of care at their hospitals can report those concerns with the understanding that retaliatory disciplinary action is prohibited, according to explicit new rules announced by The Joint Commission (Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.).

According to the organization, the revised requirement, which will become effective January 1, 2008, means that accredited hospitals must inform staff that any employee or physician who has concerns about the safety or quality of care provided in the hospital may report these concerns to The Joint Commission.