Conference Sessions Demystifying the 2026 Joint Commission Survey Process
Objectives
* Learn about the revised 2026 Joint Commission Medical Equipment Standards
* Best practices and strategies to effectively implement the new standards
* How to prepare for the 2026 survey process
* Learn about the changes to the on-site survey activities and the role of surveyors.
Session Abstract
This session provides a comprehensive review of the significant updates to The Joint Commission (TJC) Medical Equipment standards and survey processes taking effect in 2026. Healthcare organizations accredited by TJC should be aware of these changes to maintain compliance and ensure successful accreditation surveys.
The session will delve into the details of TJC’s “Accreditation 360: The New Standard” model, which introduces streamlined processes, revised requirements, and a continuous engagement model. Key areas of presentation will include: the relationship between TJC standards and the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Conditions of Participation (CoPs), updated survey process, new National Performance Goals and strategies to effectively implement new standards and prepare for the 2026 survey process.
Speaker Profiles
Arif Subhan, MS, CCE, FACCE, AAMIF is the Chief Biomedical Engineer at VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. Arif is a VA TCF Preceptor for clinical engineers/BMETs, an Adjunct Professor, Biomedical Engineering at University of Connecticut. Arif has three decades of clinical engineering experience in both public and private sector and has worked at several university hospitals. He is nationally recognized as a resource and educator on codes, standards, accreditation, quality assurance, safety, clinical engineering education and certification. He is a frequent author and speaker at local, national, and international venues. Arif was the Senior Clinical Engineer for a national Independent Service Organization that managed medical equipment across the United States, and Chief Biomedical Engineer at VA Nebraska and VA South Texas. He has served on the ACCE Board for more than a decade in various leadership roles. In 2013, he received the ACCE Professional Development/ Managerial Excellence Award. In 2012, he received the AAMI Leadership Award and in 2022, he received the ACCE Tom O’Dea Advocacy Award.
Katherine Navarro is a Biomedical Engineer with the VHA Office of Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) where she supports the Biomedical Engineering field in the VA from a national level. Katherine has been with the VA in the Healthcare Technology Management field for sixteen years. She began her career in the VA at the Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System in Temple, Texas as a trainee in the VA’s Technical Career Field (TCF) Biomedical Engineering program. Upon completion of the TCF program, Katherine moved to San Antonio, Texas and was a Biomedical Engineer at the South Texas Veterans Healthcare System for approximately ten years, supporting the Biomedical Engineering department as a project manager for new medical equipment implementations. In 2020, Katherine began her new role for the Office of HTM, working virtually from San Antonio.
Katherine earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2009. She has also earned professional certification in federal program/project management and is a Certified Clinical Engineer. Katherine has been involved in leadership positions in the American College of Clinical Engineers (ACCE) since 2017 and has been nominated to serve as President of ACCE for 2025 – 2026, and in 2023 she was recognized by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) as the AAMI Young Professional of the Year.
Lindsay is a dedicated Biomedical Engineer at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, where she specializes in integrating cutting-edge medical technologies into clinical environments. She holds both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Tulane University.
Currently, Lindsay is a fellow with MIT’s linQ Catalyst program, contributing to groundbreaking healthcare innovations while simultaneously serving as a Staff Biomedical Engineer at the VA. With a strong foundation in biomedical innovation and healthcare technology integration, she bridges the gap between engineering and patient-centered care.
She joined the VA through its competitive two-year Clinical Engineering training program, gaining hands-on experience in applying engineering principles to healthcare challenges. Now in a permanent role, she leads large-scale construction projects for major equipment replacements, including CT, MRI, and Linear Accelerators, ensuring seamless integration of new systems that meet both technical and clinical needs. She works closely with end users, conducting market research and optimizing clinical workflows to implement solutions that enhance both physician efficiency and patient outcomes. Additionally, she serves as the Biomedical Engineering liaison for Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Catheterization, Sterile Processing Services, and the Chief of Staff offices.
Driven by a deep passion for advancing patient care, Lindsay is committed to improving healthcare through innovative design and accessible technology.
Her areas of interest include human factors design, bio-innovation, startups, biofluid mechanics, biomedical acoustics, and high-tech investing.
