The Joint Commission wants feedback from palliative careproviders on newly proposed standards. The standards, proposed this week, wouldbe part of a new Healthcare Services Certification Program that aims to providestandards and improvement solutions to health care organizations. 

The main focus of the Healthcare Services CertificationProgram is to “emphasize the importance of patient-centered care” andto “integrate the involvement of patients, families and healthcare staffin treating individual needs and improving care,” according to ChuckMowll, Joint Commission executive vice president for business development,government and external relations. 

The deadline for feedback from palliative care providersis April 8. The full Healthcare Services Certification Program is expected tolaunch some time in August. The program will be available for geri-psychiatriccare, sub-acute care wound care and physical rehabilitation programs.