JCAHO Changes The Term "disruptive behavior" As It Relates to Physicians

 The term “disruptive behavior” is changed in the standards

The term “disruptive behavior” in two elements of performance (LD.03.01.01, EPs 4 and 5) has been revised to “behavior or behaviors that undermine a culture of safety.” It has been brought to the attention of staff at The Joint Commission that the term “disruptive behavior” is not viewed favorably by some in health care, and it can be ambiguous for some audiences. For example, some physicians object that strong advocacy for improvements in patient care can be characterized as disruptive behavior. Also, the phrase “disruptive behavior” may be used in the context of a care environment that has become temporarily unsettled by the behavior of a patient. The term was discussed with The Joint Commission’s Accreditation Committee and its Board of Commissioners. Because of the term’s potential for ambiguity, the new term better describes the problem that the standard is trying to address. The change will be made in the update to the accreditation manuals, which will publish in the spring of 2012. (Contact: Maureen Carr, mcarr@jointcommission.org)

Anderson & Anderson welcomes this change and will begin immediately to advocate this new more positive definition of this important problem. The new definition more correctly explains the issue as "behavior or behaviors that undermine a culture of safety."

George Anderson, MSW, BCD, CAMF