TJC Notification Requirements for CMS Categorical Waivers

The Joint Commission (TJC) recently clarified its notification requirements if an organization decides to take advantage of any CMS categorical waivers.  If a categorical waiver relates to a Life Safety Code requirement, TJC has requested that the organization identify that decision in the Additional Comments field of the eBBI section of the eSOC at TJC’s eConnect website for that organization.  On the other hand, if a categorical waiver relates to another chapter requirement, such as the motor-driven fire pump testing requirement within EC chapter Standard EC.02.03.05, TJC asks that the organization document its decision in the Safety Committee or EOC Committee meeting minutes.  This is a change from information previously disseminated by ASHE shortly after the waivers were released by CMS.

The organization should also notify the TJC surveyors at the beginning of the survey of any waivers that the organization has elected to use.