ASF Universal Patient Safety Priorities 2027
Eight cross-cutting priorities that apply across every ASF facility type, published once a year, free to cite, free to adopt at any facility — accredited by ASF or not.
Published annually · Current edition: 2027
These eight priorities are not a new standard — they are the cross-cutting thread that runs through ASF’s 450 criteria across all seven facility types. Where a criterion below is classified Non-Negotiable, a single failure bars accreditation outright, regardless of how well a facility performs elsewhere. This list exists so a facility, a patient, or a regulator can see at a glance what ASF treats as foundational, without reading all 450 criteria first.
How this differs from a “top tips” list: every item below is a real, classified criterion inside the published ASF Standards — not marketing copy. Follow the links to the actual criterion, the free tool that helps a facility meet it, and, where one exists, the governing ASF policy.
The Eight Priorities
Hand Hygiene & Infection Prevention
The single highest-leverage patient-safety intervention in any facility type. Non-Negotiable across all seven ASF facility types.
Patient Identification
Two identifiers, every time, before every procedure, medication, or specimen. A Non-Negotiable criterion in every ASF standard that involves direct patient contact.
Medication Safety
High-alert medication separation, verbal-order read-back, and error reporting without blame. Covered as a Non-Negotiable or Core criterion in every applicable standard.
Falls Prevention
Risk screening at admission and after every change in condition. Standard in Hospital, LTC, and Home Care facility types.
Surgical & Procedural Safety
A verified safety checklist before any invasive procedure. Non-Negotiable wherever a facility performs procedures.
Communication at Handover
Structured handover (SBAR or equivalent) at every shift change and every transfer of care.
Incident Reporting & Learning Without Blame
A functioning, non-punitive incident reporting system is itself a Non-Negotiable criterion — not just a nice-to-have.
Emergency Preparedness
A written, drilled emergency response plan, tested on a fixed schedule — not only reviewed after something goes wrong.
Classification Reminder
| Tier | What it means |
|---|---|
| Non-Negotiable (weight 3×) | Any single failure bars accreditation. Immediate patient safety or legal requirement. |
| Core (weight 2×) | ≥85% required for accreditation, ≥70% for certification. |
| Standard (weight 1×) | ≥70% required for accreditation. Good-practice layer. |
See the full Standards for exactly which criteria in your facility type fall into each tier.
Review Cycle
This list is reviewed annually alongside ASF’s standards development cycle and republished every January. Facilities, surveyors, and patients may propose additions through the same public comment process that governs any standards change — see How Standards Are Developed.
