On Dec. 1, 2025, Joint Commission posted updated Survey Process Guides (SPGs) for hospitals and critical access hospitals on its website. The SPGs are effective Jan. 1, 2026. Updates from the last published version of the SPGs are easily identified by underlined and strikethrough text and include the following:
- New survey process for Joint Commission requirements not related to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Conditions of Participation
- Updated Performance Improvement Evaluation Tool
- New Emergency Management Discussion Tool
- Updated Primary Care Medical Home Certification Evaluation Guide
- New Medical Staff–Related Standards Compliance Evaluation Guides
Find a complete summary of changes on page 2 of the SPGs.
Access the revised SPGs here.
