Joint Commission Updates Diagnostic Imaging Standards

The Joint Commission has updated its standards related to diagnostic imaging to more fully address certain issues of quality and safety, states a December 20, 2013, Joint Commission news item. The new and revised standards, which address overall patient safety, oversight of imaging services, staff competency, radiation safety procedures, equipment maintenance, and quality control, will be implemented in two phases and affect standards in the environment of care, human resources, medication management, performance improvement, and provision of care, treatment, and services categories. The first of the changes, which take effect July 1, 2014, focus on computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) services.