Specifications Manual for Joint Commission National Quality Measures (v2027A1)
Posted: 10/5/2026

Release Notes:
Release Notes
Version 2027A1

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Release Notes for the 2027A1 Manual

Measure Information Forms

SectionRationaleDescription
PC-02 The algorithm and narrative algorithm are being restored to the 2026 version to better align with the measure intent and the electronic version of the measure. Narrative Algorithm:

Change From:

1. Start Cesarean birth logic. Run cases, which are included in the Perinatal Care Mother Initial Patient Population and pass the edits defined in the Clinical Data Processing Flow, through this measure.

2. Check ICD-10 CM Principal or Other Diagnosis codes
  1. If all ICD-10 CM Principal or Other Diagnosis codes are missing or none of them on Table 11.08, the case will proceed to a Measure Category Assignment of B and will not be in the Measure Population. Stop processing.
  2. If at least one of the ICD-10 CM Principal or Other Diagnosis codes is on Table 11.08, continue processing and proceed to check Gestational Age.

3. Check Gestational Age.
  1. If the gestational age is missing the case will proceed to a Measure Category Assignment of X and will be rejected. Stop processing.
  2. If the gestational age is less than 37 weeks or unable to be determined the case will proceed to a Measure Category Assignment of B and will not be in the Measure Population. Stop processing.
  3. If the gestational age is greater than or equal to 37 weeks, continue processing and proceed to check Previous Births.
4. Check Previous Births.
  1. If previous births is missing, the case will proceed to a Measure Category Assignment of X and will be rejected. Stop processing.
  2. If previous births is Yes, the case will proceed to a Measure Category Assignment of B and will not be in the Measure Population. Stop processing.
  3. If previous births is No continue processing and proceed to check ICD-10-PCS Principal or Other Procedure Codes.

5. ICD-10-PCS Principal or Other Procedure Codes
  1. If all ICD-10-PCS Principal or Other Procedure Codes are missing or none of them on Table 11.06, the case will proceed to a Measure Category Assignment of D and will be in the population. Stop processing.
  2. If at least one of the ICD-10-PCS Principal or Other Procedure Codes is on Table 11.06, continue processing and proceed to check ICD-10 CM Principal or Other Diagnosis codes.

6. Check ICD-10 CM Principal or Other Diagnosis codes
  1. If at least one of the ICD-10 CM Principal or Other Diagnosis codes is on Table 11.09, the case will proceed to a Measure Category Assignment of B and will not be in the Measure Population. Stop processing.
  2. If all ICD-10 CM Principal or Other Diagnosis codes are missing or none of them on Table 11.09, the case will proceed to a Measure Category Assignment of E and will be in the numerator population. Stop processing.

To:

1. Start Cesarean birth logic. Run cases, which are included in the Perinatal Care Mother Initial Patient Population and pass the edits defined in the Clinical Data Processing Flow, through this measure.

2. Check ICD-10 CM Principal or Other Diagnosis codes
  1. If at least one of the ICD-10 CM Principal or Other Diagnosis codes is on Table 11.09, the case will proceed to a Measure Category Assignment of B and will not be in the Measure Population. Stop processing.
  2. If all ICD-10 CM Principal or Other Diagnosis codes are missing or none of them on Table 11.09, continue processing and proceed to ICD-10 CM principal or Other Diagnosis Codes.

3. Check ICD-10 CM Principal or Other Diagnosis codes.
  1. If all ICD-10 CM Principal or Other Diagnosis codes are missing or none of them on Table 11.08, the case will proceed to a Measure Category Assignment of B and will not be in the Measure Population. Stop processing.
  2. If at least one of the ICD-10 CM Principal or Other Diagnosis codes is on Table 11.08, continue processing and proceed to check Gestational Age.

4. Check Gestational Age.
  1. If the gestational age is missing the case will proceed to a Measure Category Assignment of X and will be rejected. Stop processing.
  2. If the gestational age is less than 37 weeks or unable to be determined the case will proceed to a Measure Category Assignment of B and will not be in the Measure Population. Stop processing.
  3. If the gestational age is greater than or equal to 37 weeks, continue processing and proceed to check Previous Births.

5. Check Previous Births.
  1. If previous births is missing, the case will proceed to a Measure Category Assignment of X and will be rejected. Stop processing.
  2. If previous births is Yes, the case will proceed to a Measure Category Assignment of B and will not be in the Measure Population. Stop processing.
  3. If previous births is No continue processing and proceed to check ICD-10-PCS principal or other procedure codes.

6. Check ICD-10-PCS Principal or Other Procedure codes
  1. If all ICD-10-PCS Principal or Other Procedure Codes are missing or none of them on Table 11.06, the case will proceed to a Measure Category Assignment of D and will be in the population. Stop processing.
  2. If at least one of the ICD-10-PCS Principal or Other Procedure Codes is on Table 11.06, the case will proceed to a Measure Category Assignment of E and will be in the numerator population. Stop processing.

Data Elements

SectionRationaleDescription
No Data Element release notes for the TJC2027A1 release.

Supplemental Materials

SectionRationaleDescription
No Supplemental Material release notes for the TJC2027A1 release.

Release Notes
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Specifications Manual for Joint Commission National Quality Measures (v2027A1)
Discharges 01-01-2027 (1Q27) through 06-30-2027 (2Q27)

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