JCI 8th Edition, The New Standard “Health Care Technology (HCT)”— Adapting to Emerging Technologies in Healthcare —

Expanding Role of Technology in Healthcare

In recent years, new technologies such as AI, online consultations, and telemedicine have been increasingly adopted in healthcare settings. These innovations are expected to bring significant benefits, including improved treatment outcomes and more efficient care processes.

At the same time, the importance of information security and ethical considerations has grown rapidly. In Japan, for example, several hospitals have already reported serious damage caused by ransomware attacks.

Against this backdrop, the 8th Edition of the JCI Standards, introduced in January 2025, includes a brand-new category: Health Care Technology (HCT).

What the HCT Standard Requires

The HCT standard emphasizes how healthcare organizations manage and safeguard information. Key areas of focus include:

• Active involvement of hospital leadership, not leaving information management solely to staff

• Appointing qualified personnel as information management officers

• Applying internationally and nationally recognized information security guidelines

• Conducting risk assessments, identifying risks, and evaluating management practices within the organization

The Core of the Standard

The purpose of the HCT standard is not simply to prepare for JCI evaluation. Its true aim is to help institutions raise the overall level of information security within their organizations.

As technology continues to evolve, healthcare providers constantly face new risks and challenges. The introduction of HCT represents an opportunity to strengthen information security across the organization and to build a safe and sustainable system for delivering care.

Conclusion

The HCT standard is one of the most forward-looking additions to the JCI 8th Edition. It reflects the reality that technology is inseparable from modern healthcare.

By embracing HCT, institutions can maximize the benefits of innovation while ensuring that patient safety and organizational trust remain protected.

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With the introduction of the JCI 8th Edition, accreditation requirements continue to evolve.

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