The JCAHO Agenda for Change: what changes in pharmacy and P & T activities do you need to prepare for in 1994?

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has made serious strides toward a more meaningful accreditation process through the development of the "Agenda for Change." New, functionally oriented standards began to appear in the Accreditation Manual for Hospitals (AMH) in 1993. The greater effect of functionally oriented standards is occurring with the introduction of the 1994 AMH and will continue with the introduction of additional new standards in 1995. Discussed in this article are the JCAHO standards that are being introduced in 1994. These include further development of the director's responsibilities and medication use standards as well as new standards involving the assessment of patients and the management of information. Medication use indicators--which will become a required part of the accreditation process in 1996--are also presented.