Proposed Requirements for a New Patient Blood Management Certification Program

Proposed Requirements for a New Patient Blood Management Certification Program

Start Date: August 29, 2013
End Date: October 10, 2013

The Joint Commission’s Laboratory Accreditation program is developing a Patient Blood Management certification program for Joint Commission-accredited hospitals. Patient blood management incorporates a patient-centered approach into the blood utilization activities and blood conservation strategies that occur within the hospital. Blood conservation strategies minimize the need for blood transfusions by using the following:

Therapeutic agents (such as Erythropoietin) and nutritional supplements (such as iron) to manage anemia
Drugs (such as transexamic acid) and surgical sealants (such as fibrin glue) to optimize coagulation
Minimally invasive surgical procedures (such as laparoscopy) and specialized surgical equipment (such as lasers) to decrease bleeding
Laboratory techniques (such as microsampling) and volume expanders (such as Ringer’s saline solution) to minimize the need for blood transfusions
Patient blood management applies to all patient populations from pediatrics to geriatrics. It also spans the entire continuum of patient medical care, including the management of anemia, minimization of blood loss, and optimization of coagulation, in addition to evidence-based transfusion.

The Joint Commission conducted extensive research, convened information-gathering conference calls, and engaged a Technical Advisory Panel to identify critical elements in patient blood management.  These activities were used to develop certification requirements and the scope for the certification program listed below:

A safe and effective Patient Blood Management certification program accomplishes the following:

Uses a multidisciplinary, organization-wide approach to manage anemia, optimize coagulation, and decrease bleeding
Minimizes the need for blood transfusions in all patient populations from the time of admission to the time of discharge
Strives to improve patient outcomes
The Joint Commission is proposing a new certification program and is seeking input from the field.  Please review the proposed new requirements, and then provide comments using one of the methods listed below.

Step 1: Read the Proposed Standards
Note: Prior to submitting your comments, download and review the document(s) below.
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Patient Blood Management requirements 2013

Step 2: Provide Your Comments
Tell us what you think. You can submit your comments in one of the following ways:

1. Submit your comments via the online survey

2. Submit your comments via the online form.

3. Submit your comments via mail.

The Joint Commission
Standards and Survey Methods
Proposed New Requirements for Patient Blood Management Certification
One Renaissance Blvd.
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181