TJC 2026 National Performance Goals
Effective January 2026, the Joint Commission's new National Performance Goals chapter replaces the NPSGs for hospitals and critical access hospitals. Here's what changed and how to prepare.
From NPSGs to National Performance Goals
Effective January 1, 2026, the Joint Commission's National Performance Goals (NPG) chapter officially replaces the National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) chapter for hospitals and critical access hospitals. This is more than a rename. The NPG chapter organizes requirements into 14 measurable, high-priority topics with clearly defined goals, shifting the model from an annual compliance checklist to a year-round performance framework.
What This Means for Your Hospital
The most immediate change to plan for is Goal 12: hospitals must be staffed to meet the needs of the patients they serve, with all nursing staff demonstrably competent to deliver safe care. Beyond staffing, the 14-domain structure means quality and safety leaders need documented, year-round performance systems rather than a pre-survey scramble. The CESA Group helps hospitals and critical access hospitals translate the NPG chapter into practical, sustainable readiness, from gap analysis through mock survey and staff-level training.
Ready to Prepare for the NPG Transition?
Whether you need a gap analysis against the new NPG chapter or hands-on mock survey preparation, we're ready to help your hospital transition with confidence.