The Joint Commission wants to improve the accuracy of resident identification and reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.

These are just two goals in the commission’s newly released draft of 2009 national resident safety goals for long-term care. The commission also released patient safety goals and requirements for hospitals, home care and other healthcare settings.

Among the commission’s other 2009 goals for long-term care: accurately and completely reconcile resident medications across the continuum of care, and encourage residents’ active involvement in their own care as a resident safety strategy.

To see all the commission’s safety goals, go to
http://www.jointcommission.org/Standards/FieldReviews/09_npsg_fr.htm.