Effective immediately, The Joint Commission updated its position about texting to communicate patient information and orders. Joint Commission-accredited healthcare organizations that implement a secure texting platform (STP) may text patient information and orders to members of the care team. Although computerized provider order entry (CPOE) remains the preferred method of order entry, organizations are permitted to text orders via an STP that transfers the information into the electronic health record (EHR).
Organizations that choose to text patient information and orders are required to do the following:
- Implement an STP that meets the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Security Rule, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act Amendment 2021, and U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation (CoPs) addressing medical records. The STP must be secure, encrypted, and ensure the integrity of author identification to minimize patient privacy and confidentiality risks.
- Implement policies and procedures to routinely assess the security and integrity of the STP.
- Confirm that texted orders transmitted via the STP are dated, timed, authenticated, and promptly captured in the EHR.
- Ensure that the information transmitted into the EHR is accurately written, promptly completed, properly filed and retained, and accessible.
Previously, healthcare organizations were permitted to use secure text messaging to communicate patient information among members of the healthcare team; however, texting patient orders had been prohibited because of concerns related to the capability of texting platforms to protect information privacy and security and to incorporate texted information into the EHR.
On Feb. 8, 2024, CMS released a quality, safety, and oversight (QSO) memorandum – QSO-24-05-Hospital/[Critical Access Hospital] CAH – acknowledging the significant advancements in the current STPs. As a result, CMS revised its policy to state that texting patient information and orders is permissible if accomplished through a HIPAA-compliant STP and if in compliance with the CoPs at 42 CFR Part 482.24 and 41 CFR Part 485.638.
In response to the revised policy, The Joint Commission recently released Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to using secure text messaging for patient information and orders. The following are links to FAQs by program:
- Ambulatory care
- Assisted living community
- Behavioral health care and human services
- Critical access hospital
- Home care
- Hospital
- Laboratory
- Nursing care center
- Office-based surgery
For additional information or questions about texting patient orders, contact the Joint Commission Standards Interpretation Group.
A new educational campaign from The Joint Commission, Speak Up™ About Your Medications, focuses on how medication safety is a team effort. Patients, doctors, pharmacists and other caregivers all have a role in giving the right medication, in the correct dosage, while avoiding bad reactions.
The campaign covers:
- The importance of having, updating and appropriately sharing your medication list.
- Questions to ask your doctor and pharmacist about new medications.
- Tips for the safe use of medication both at home and in the hospital.
- Tips for safely storing and disposing of medications.
The educational resources for this new Speak Up campaign include:
- An infographic in three sizes (8.5x11, 11x17 and 24x36).
- An animated video to incorporate in healthcare facilities.
- A distribution guide with recommendations on how healthcare organizations can use and provide the materials for patients and their families, caregivers, and advocates.
The infographic and video are available in both English and Spanish. The materials are free to reproduce and disseminate if credited to The Joint Commission.
Launched in 2002, the award-winning Speak Up program has been used in more than 70 countries. It encourages patients to be their own advocates and to:
- Speak up
- Pay attention
- Educate yourself
- Advocates (family members and friends) can help
- Know about your new medicine
- Use a quality health care organization
- Participate in all decisions about your care