What is Joint Commission Environment of Care?
Joint Commission Environment of Care, or EC, is the chapter of Joint Commission accreditation standards that covers how healthcare organizations manage a safe physical environment. It includes requirements for utility systems such as ventilation, water, electrical power and medical gas, along with inspection, testing, maintenance and risk management.
What it is
The Joint Commission accredits hospitals and other healthcare organizations in the United States. Its Environment of Care chapter asks organizations to plan, manage and monitor the environment where care is delivered.
For utility systems, organizations must keep an inventory, identify risks, set inspection and maintenance activities, and manage risks such as Legionella in water systems and pathogens in ventilation. Surveyors review documents and look at conditions on site.
Because surveys are periodic, the challenge for facilities is keeping evidence complete between them.
Who it applies to
Hospitals, critical access hospitals, ambulatory care and other organizations that seek Joint Commission accreditation. Check the current standards manual for the exact elements of performance.
Facility, engineering, infection prevention and safety teams share responsibility for the chapter, and most organizations run an environment of care committee to review performance and risks.
What evidence it needs
Surveyors look for documented management and records of performance.
- Utility system inventories and risk assessments
- Inspection, testing and maintenance records
- Water management and ventilation records
- Corrective actions and their closure
How Aqueduct helps
Aqueduct supplies continuous records for utility systems, ready for survey.
- aQ WaterGuard temperature and flow records for water management
- aQ AirSafe pressure, humidity and air quality records by space
- Faults and excursions routed into your CMMS with verified closure
- aQ Assurance exports organized for survey review