Joint Commission Releases New Imaging Standards
On July 1, 2015, the Joint Commission implemented their long-awaited new imaging standards. The standards, consisting of 25 new or revised Elements of Performance (EP’s), contain a multitude of new requirements that affect Joint Commission accredited facilities performing MRI, CT or NM/PET services. Specifically, the new standards address the following areas: annual equipment physics testing, ongoing equipment quality control, medical physicist qualifications, technologist training, x-ray shielding design and verification, personnel dosimetry (ALARA) review, patient dose incident tracking and analysis, CT protocol documentation and review, and MRI safety.
West Physics has been monitoring the Joint Commission standards development process since late 2012 and is pleased to have a full suite of services that help facilities meet all of the new standards. Please click here for more information or contact a West Physics sales representative for more information. A link to the new standards is available here. Note that the linked standards are for hospitals and critical access hospitals, but identical standards also apply to accredited ambulatory care organizations.