The SAFER Matrix: A New Scoring Methodology.

A New Scoring Methodology Project REFRESH (see related articles on pages 3 and 5), the Joint Commission’s multiphase process improvement project, includes a transformative approach for identifying and communicating risk levels associated with deficiencies cited during surveys. This Survey Analysis for Evaluating Risk (SAFER) approach provides organizations with additional information related to risk of deficiencies to help prioritize and focus corrective actions. The development of this approach was driven by the Joint Commission’s focus on providing its accredited and certified organizations with an on-site and post-survey experience that allows the organization to see areas of noncompliance at an aggregate level—one that shows significant components of risk analysis including the likelihood to harm and the scope of a cited deficiency. Beginning June 6, 2016, psychiatric hospitals that use Joint Commission accreditation to meet the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) deemed status requirements will be provided with a SAFER matrix (shown on page 3) within their Accreditation of Survey Findings Report. All other accreditation and certification programs will begin receiving this matrix in their reports after January 1, 2017.