Joint Commission Ends Ban On Using Text Messages For Clinical Care Orders

On May 1, 2016, The Joint Commission announced it had revised ban on the transmission of orders via text messaging. Health care organizations may allow orders to be transmitted via text messaging without jeopardizing their accreditation from The Joint Commission, as long as the secure text messaging platform meets specific criteria. The new policy is effective immediately.

The new position was the topic of “Joint Commission Update: Texting Orders.” The update emphasized that the text messaging platform must include the following:

Secure sign-on process
Encrypted messaging
Delivery and read receipts
Date and time stamp
Customized message retention time frames . . .