Navigating the 2026 Shift: Hospital Security and Joint Commission Standards

In the high-stakes world of healthcare, security is no longer just about guarding doors it is a fundamental pillar of patient clinical outcomes and staff safety. If your facility is accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC), you are likely standing at a significant crossroads.

Effective January 1, 2026, TJC has launched "Accreditation 360," a massive restructuring that reduces the total number of standards by nearly 50% while intensifying the focus on outcomes and "continuous engagement." For security leaders, this means moving away from mere "paper compliance" and toward demonstrable, data-driven safety cultures.

Navigating the 2026 Shift: Hospital Security and Joint Commission Standards

1. The Physical Environment: Consolidation and Focus

Under the new 2026 framework, the familiar Environment of Care (EC) and Life Safety (LS) chapters have been consolidated into a single, unified chapter: The Physical Environment (PE).

• Written Security Plans: While the numbering has changed, the core requirement remains: hospitals must have a written plan for managing the security of everyone in the facility.

• Annual Worksite Analysis: TJC now places a heavy emphasis on proactive risk assessment. Security teams must perform an annual worksite analysis specifically to identify vulnerabilities related to workplace violence.

• The Shift: Surveyors are moving from checking if a binder exists to asking: "How does this plan actually change daily practice, and what does your data show about its effectiveness?"

  
  

2. Workplace Violence: A National Performance Goal

One of the most critical updates is the elevation of Workplace Violence Prevention to a National Performance Goal (NPG). TJC now views violence not as an occupational hazard, but as a systemic failure that must be addressed at the leadership level.

• Standard Definition: TJC formally defines workplace violence to include not just physical assault, but verbal threats, bullying, sabotage, and harassment.

  
  

• Executive Accountability: Senior leadership must now oversee the prevention program, ensuring there is a multidisciplinary team (including security, HR, and clinical staff) dedicated to the cause.

  
  

• Post-Incident Support: Standards now require a formal process for supporting victims and witnesses of violence, acknowledging the long-term trauma these incidents cause.

  
  

3. Competency and Training: Beyond the "Check-Box"

The Human Resources (HR) standards have been sharpened to ensure that staff especially security and clinical teams are truly competent, not just "trained."

• Observed Competence: TJC is moving away from simple e-learning completions. Surveyors look for observed competency, where an individual’s skills (such as de-escalation or safer physical interventions) are assessed by a qualified expert.

• Evidence Packets: Facilities are encouraged to maintain "evidence packets" that link specific training to real-world incidents. If a security officer uses a physical intervention, the documentation should prove they were trained in that specific last-resort technique.

  
  

4. Emergency Management: The "All-Hazards" Approach

The Emergency Management (EM) standards continue to evolve, requiring security to be deeply integrated into the hospital's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).

• Advance Preparation: The hospital must prove it has prepared security staff for specific emergencies (active shooters, mass casualty events, or utility failures).

• Continuity of Operations (COOP): TJC now requires a separate or deeply integrated COOP that defines how security and safety will be maintained even when resources are depleted or services are limited.

Expert Perspectives and Collaborative Insights

• Court-Defensible Workplace Violence Prevention: A Compliance Guide for OSHA, CMS, and The Joint Commission

• Verbal De-escalation: The Security Professional’s Most Powerful Tool

• How To Create And Implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP)

• CVPSD Security Personnel Training

How CVPSD Training Aligns with 2026 Standards

At CVPSD, we recognize that the 2026 standards prioritize a trauma-sensitive, person-centered focus. Our training programs are designed to help you meet these rigorous requirements by:

• Providing Alternatives to Restraint: Aligning directly with TJC's goal of reducing physical interventions.

• Standardizing De-escalation: Giving staff the tools to resolve conflicts before they escalate to "Code Greens."

• Documenting Competency: Our assessment methods provide the clear, verifiable evidence that TJC surveyors look for during "Accreditation 360" reviews.

Key Takeaway: The 2026 standards are less about having the right policy and more about having the right culture. Security is the backbone of that culture.

William DeMuth, Director of Training

About The Author

William DeMuth, Director of Training

With over 30 years of research in violence dynamics and personal safety, William specializes in evidence-based training with layered personal safety skills for real-world conflict resolution. He holds advanced certifications and has trained under diverse industry leaders including Lt. Col. Dave Grossman and Craig Douglas (ShivWorks), and is the architect of the ConflictIQ™ program. He actively trains civilians, law enforcement, healthcare workers, and corporate teams in behavioral analysis, situational awareness, de-escalation strategies, and physical skills.