The Joint Commission (TJC) is seeking input on the proposed requirements related to Pain Assessment and Management for Hospitals. According to TJC, the proposed revisions are being developed to further promote patient safety and quality of care and align the accreditation requirements with current recommendations from scientific, professional and governmental organizations. Feedback may be provided via an online form or survey. 

Revisions to chapters include but are not limited to:

• Pain assessment and pain management, including safe opioid prescribing, is identified as an organizational priority for the hospital (LD.04.05.17), and
• The hospital assessment and manages the patient’s pain based on clinical practice guidelines and evidence-based practices and minimizes the risk associated with treatment (PC.01.02.07).

Recommendations for associated elements of performance for each of the chapters include actions that include process improvement activities, leadership team responsibilities, monitoring plans, attention to high-risk patients and responsibilities to patients screened and found to have new, undiagnosed or worsening pain.

In April TJC issued a statement on the misconceptions of pain management requirements.  Highlighted in the statement are clarification on endorsement of pain as a vital sign, pain assessment for all patients, treatment of pain until the score reaches zero and opioid prescribing patterns.