Joint Commission Elevates Nurse Staffing to Essential Healthcare Quality Standard
nurse.org
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Contributed by: Kate Gamble
Summary
The Joint Commission has announced a significant policy shift by incorporating staffing standards as a critical component of its 2026 National Performance Goals for healthcare accreditation. For the first time, hospitals must meet specific staffing requirements, particularly emphasizing the role of nursing leadership in ensuring adequate staffing to provide safe and quality care. This decision underscores the vital relationship between appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios and patient safety, especially in light of rising RN turnover and vacancy rates exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. By prioritizing staffing levels within its accreditation criteria, The Joint Commission highlights the need for systemic changes to improve healthcare outcomes and supports the advocacy efforts by nurses for better staffing oversight.
