The introduction of new Joint Commission requirements for the transfer of health information will take a stepped approach, moving the field toward the long term goal of efficient communication of health care information, while seeking to avoid any unintended negative consequences. Promoting the standardization of the data collected within organizations is essential to the effective transfer of information. The standardization of data is the first step in using data in planning for safety and high quality care within critical access hospitals. Requirements for the standardization of data may include a generic set of requirements as well as those specific to the critical access hospital setting.

Further down on this page, you will see a link to resources related to this topic as well as performance requirements that may be applicable to the critical access hospital setting. Feel free to upload additional materials that would further help The Joint Commission to establish a core set of requirements in this area. This may include media articles, forms used within your organization, or anything else pertaining to the transfer of health information. Also, feel free to edit the performance requirements that are listed below, or add new ones you feel should be considered by The Joint Commission. Remember, performance requirements are objective and measurable descriptions of an action, outcome, or observable behavior.