As hospitals prepare for Joint Commission surveys under updated accreditation standards, many leaders are asking the same question:
While every survey is different, members of our staff in the field are hearing consistent questions and areas of attention from clinical and operational leaders as they prepare for accreditation reviews in 2026. The themes below reflect common readiness challenges and are not suggested as official guidance. This information should help teams think proactively about accreditation preparedness.
Across ORs, Sterile Processing, Endoscopy, and support departments, there is growing uncertainty about what “readiness” entails under the updated standards. Many organizations are less concerned with new rules and more with how existing expectations are applied in practice.
Based on recent conversations with Surgical Solutions subject matter experts and hospital teams, these are some of the areas receiving increased attention.
One recurring theme is instrument Instructions for Use (IFUs).
Teams are being asked to demonstrate:
In many cases, teams know IFUs exist but struggle to quickly locate or reference them. This can create uncertainty during surveys and highlights the importance of clear access and staff familiarity, not just documentation.
Be prepared for questions around peel pack usage, particularly related to:
Some hospitals are reassessing peel pack practices to ensure packaging decisions align with manufacturer guidance and internal policies. The takeaway for teams is not “less peel packs,” but more intentional decision-making around how instruments are packaged.
Instrument inspection remains a critical focus area. Staff are expected to recognize common signs that an instrument may be compromised, including:
Equally important is what happens next. Many organizations are reinforcing that compromised instruments should be:
Clear processes and staff confidence in these decisions are key components of readiness.
Life safety expectations are not new, but many hospitals are emphasizing that life safety is everyone’s responsibility, not just a facility or safety team function.
Staff should know answers to safety questions such as:
The expectation is not perfection, but general awareness and understanding across departments.
Infection prevention will always touch every department. Hospitals are reinforcing the importance of:
Infection control is increasingly recognized as a shared responsibility across clinical, procedural, and support areas.
To support accreditation readiness, we created a visually simplified version of the Joint Commission’s 2026 National Performance Goals (NPGs).
To support accreditation readiness, we created a visually simplified version of the Joint Commission’s 2026 National Performance Goals (NPGs). This downloadable resource reorganizes the official goals into an easy-to-reference format while preserving the intent and language of the original standards. The Joint Commission did not create or endorse this visual; it is provided by Surgical Solutions as an educational aid.
Download the 2026 NPG Reference Guide now!
The 2026 NPGs continue to emphasize areas such as:
Understanding how these goals translate into daily workflows can help teams prepare more confidently for accreditation reviews.
Accreditation is not about memorizing standards. It’s about consistent, well-understood practices across teams.
As hospitals navigate accreditation expectations in 2026, many are focusing on:
For a broader look at how accreditation standards are evolving, you can also explore our foundational overview of Accreditation 360 and the Joint Commission’s approach to healthcare accreditation.
Read the Accreditation 360 blog here.
This post reflects common themes and questions our staff is hearing as hospitals prepare for accreditation reviews. Every organization’s experience is unique, and teams should always refer to official Joint Commission resources and internal policies when preparing for surveys.
Resources:
The Joint Commission, "Accreditation 360: The New Standard"