Quick Safety advisory addresses pandemic health disparities

This week the Joint Commission released a Quick Safety advisory, Supporting Safe, Equitable Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic. The advisory provides information about Joint Commission standards and requirements intended to promote health equity. It also outlines recommended safety actions by health care leaders, providers and caregivers should take during the pandemic and beyond. These actions include collecting data to identify inequities; using alternative means of communication to reach patients for whom phone calls or office visits create barriers; providing medical interpreters; and elevating trusted voices in the community to encourage vaccination against COVID-19. (Joint Commission news release, 2/9/21)