Quality measurements and quality control have historically been elusive for elective joint replacement surgeries. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), cost and quality of joint replacement surgeries vary widely across the United States. The Joint Commission recently took action to improve quality of care for surgical patients by establishing four mandatory performance metrics for hospitals belonging to, or seeking accreditation from, its Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement (THKR) Certification program.

Retroactive to the beginning of 2018, THKR member providers and aspirants will now be required to collect and report quarterly data on (1) regional anesthesia, (2) postoperative ambulation on day of surgery, (3) patients discharged home and (4) results of pre-operative joint function and health status assessments. The Joint Commission developed these performance metrics with a panel of experts drawn from areas that range across the typical continuum of care for a joint replacement surgery.

More details in the Joint Commission’s statement here.