APPROVED: Revisions to Requirements for Organizations Providing Diagnostic Imaging Services.

In June 2014, The Joint Commission announced the postponement of the July 2014 implementation of new and revised diagnostic imaging requirements for accredited hospitals, critical access hospitals, and ambulatory care organizations that provide diagnostic imaging services, including those ambulatory care organizations that have achieved Advanced Diagnostic Imaging certification (see June 2014 Perspectives, pages 8 and 11). The Joint Commission postponed the effective date after receiving feedback from accredited customers and key stakeholders. The feedback raised critical issues within the standards, highlighting complexities that required further research in order to ensure the new standards’ efficacy in promoting quality and safety improvement. These critical issues included the following: