September 1, 2026

Joint Commission released its September 2026 Critical Access Hospital Survey Process Guide and a new companion Survey Tool Guide, providing an updated roadmap for CAH accreditation surveys.

The guide shows how surveyors may assess infection prevention surveillance, auditing, staff competency, leadership oversight, corrective action, and coordination with QAPI, stewardship, sterile processing, and water management.

September 1, 2026

Joint Commission’s September 2026 Hospital Survey Process Guide reflects an updated infection prevention, infection control, and antibiotic stewardship evaluation module under 42 CFR 482.42.

Hospitals should expect focused review of IP staffing, qualifications, surveillance, competency validation, auditing, corrective action, and coordination with stewardship, QAPI, sterile processing, and water management.

January 1, 2026

Effective January 1, 2026, TJC's Hospital National Performance Goals include 14 priorities focused on safety and quality, with Goal 5 specifically emphasizing that hospitals must prioritize infection prevention and control as a central component of patient care and safety.

Infection prevention is now a priority in The Joint Commission's 2026 National Performance Goals. Goal 5 focuses on preventing and controlling infection through an effective infection prevention and control program, ongoing surveillance, risk assessment, staff preparedness, and targeted interventions.

For IP teams, this means IPC practices are not just supporting activities. They are a clearly defined accreditation priority that surveyors can evaluate across the organization.