As of 7-1-12, The Joint Commission has revised the term disruptive behaviors in Leadership Standard LD.03.01.01 (first out in 2009) regarding the culture of safety, to behaviors that undermine a culture of safety. Why? “Initially the Joint Commission decided to use the term disruptive behavior because it was commonly used in the literature and recognized by most individuals in the workplace. However, Joint Commission staff have since learned that the term disruptive behavior is not viewed favorably by some health care practitioners and is even considered ambiguous for some audiences. For example, some physicians have expressed 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, a resident, or an individual served. Using the language behaviors that undermine a culture of safety offers a better way to describe the problem addressed by the standard.”1
Leadership Standard LD.03.01.01 says “Leaders create and maintain a culture of safety and quality throughout the [organization].” The above wording changes are as follows, in Elements of Performance: A 4 and A5 (old wording is in parentheses):
A 4. Leaders develop a code of conduct that defines acceptable (disruptive, and inappropriate behaviors) behavior and behaviors that undermine a culture of safety.
A 5. Leaders create and implement a process for managing (disruptive and inappropriate behaviors) behaviors that undermine a culture of safety.2
Will this change in phraseology affect the processes that health organizations now use to deal with intimidating and angry behavior? Might this softer approach allow such negative behaviors to be discussed more openly and be more frequently addressed? Or might it water down the issue and hamper facilities from addressing head on, what is essentially, call it what you will, disruptive behavior?
What's your opinion? Your comments are welcome and appreciated.
Our Disrupting Disruptive Behavior and Anger Management: Taming the Beast seminars can help your facility or company with these issues. We also offer individual Anger Management Coaching.
1, 2 - Joint Commission Perspectives®, January 2012, Volume 32, Issue 1 Copyright 2012 Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations




