Environment of Care
Behavioral Health Environment of Care
The Environment of Care (EC) at a behavioral care health organization is the location where you deliver services to clients.
Joint Commission Environment of Care Requirements
Joint Commission standards related to the environment of care focus on patient safety. The expectation is that as an organization you do regular shorter interval inspections of the environment to ensure that there are no areas that have fallen out of compliance, as well as annual inspections in accordance with the requirements to evaluate your Environment of Care Management Plan every year. It's required for you to regularly inspect your facility for features that may be considered risky, and develop a strategy to mitigate those risks.
The Environment of Care section of the Joint Commission's Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Behavioral Health Care (CAMBHC) also outlines rules related to fire safety and associated fire safety equipment, your utility systems, and any medical equipment that is maintained on-site.
Additional EC Related Standards
Additional standards that can be found in TJC's standards manual include fire drill requirements, documenting incidents that take place at your Environment of Care, and the management of Hazardous Materials such as different chemicals that are maintained at your facility.
How We Can Assist Your Organization's Environment of Care
Most organizations that we contract with involves an on-site visit where a gap analysis or mock survey is conducted, so we have vast experience in evaluating the Environment of Care for behavioral health organizations, as well as developing EC plans and checklists to assist organizations in regular audits of their facilities.
If your organization needs assistance in developing an Environment of Care Plan, or achieving accreditation through The Joint Commission, click the link below to contact us through our web submission form on the Contact Us page, or call us anytime at (866) 444-7272.