TJC Revises Standards for CT Performance.

O n February 16, the Joint Commission (TJC) issued newly approved requirements for diagnostic imaging services for hospitals, critical access hospitals, and ambulatory care organizations and released a prepublication version of the standard revisions. These revisions, most of which will become effective on September 1, 2016, specify the minimum qualifications needed by technologists to perform diagnostic CT procedures. Revisions relevant to nuclear medicine practice include: Standard HR.01.02.05. Performance Element A19. Technologists who perform diagnostic CT exams will be required to have advanced-level certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) in CT or have one of the following qualifications: state licensure that permits them to perform diagnostic CT exams and documented training on the provision of these exams; registration and certification in radiography by ARRTand documented training on the provision of diagnostic CT exams; or certification in nuclear medicine technology by ARRT or NMTCB and documented training on the provision of diagnostic CT exams. The requirement for advanced-level certification will be effective on January 1, 2018. The A19 element of performance does not apply to CT performed for therapeutic radiation treatment planning or delivery or for calculating attenuation coefficients for nuclear medicine studies. This element also does not apply to dental cone-beam CT studies performed for diagnosis of conditions affecting the maxillofacial region. Standard HR.01.05.03. Performance Element C26. This performance element addresses ongoing education in support of requirements in Element A19. Technologists who perform diagnostic computed CT exams must participate in education that prepares them to achieve advanced-level CT certification by January 1, 2018. Standard PC.01.03.01. Performance Element A26. Diagnostic CT imaging protocols must be “reviewed and kept current with input from an interpreting physician, medical physicist, and lead imaging technologist to make certain that they adhere to current standards of practice and account for changes in CT imaging equipment. These reviews are conducted at time frames identified by the [critical access] hospital.” In the newly approved version, the word “physician” replaces “radiologist.” Again, this standard does not apply to dental cone-beam CT. In 2014, TJC had issued proposed revisions to its standards for performance of CT exams. Several elements of the new standards closely follow recommendations made by SNMMI in a formal letter to TJC in October 2014. These comments also included emphasis on the importance of certification for technologists in all aspects of imaging practice. The new standards and revisions are available at: www. jointcommission.org/assets/1/6/Prepub_HAP_CAH_Diag_Img.pdf.