By Lesley Berkeyheiser, CCSFP, CHQP, Senior Director of Accreditation Strategy and Development; Senior Assessor, DirectTrust
DirectTrust has opened the 60-day public comment period for proposed updates to our 2026 accreditation criteria which is always a milestone moment for our community. It’s when transparency moves from principle to practice: criteria are published for everyone to see, review, and comment on.
DirectTrust’s accreditation programs have always been governed by a transparent, industry-led process, including a collaborative approach to criteria development. Our processes and fees are posted online, the criteria are always free to download, and, perhaps most importantly, every update is informed by both industry regulations and community input. This process ensures that DirectTrust Accreditation remains relevant, rigorous, and trusted.
Transparency in Practice
The development and review of accreditation criteria is never a closed-door exercise. Each year, updates are first reviewed and approved by the Criteria Council – a diverse group of industry representatives who bring perspectives from across healthcare. Proposed changes then move to our Commission for final review and are released publicly for a 60-day comment period. This open structure invites anyone in the healthcare ecosystem to participate. Every comment is reviewed by the Council and helps shape the final criteria. We don’t just welcome feedback, we count on it.
Industry Collaboration in Action
DirectTrust’s accreditation criteria remain current and relevant because healthcare industry peers are openly included in this process. Sometimes new requirements come from regulations, but just as often they emerge from best practices shared by peers.
A recent example of peer-sourced practices is the latest addition to our 2026 accreditation updates: cyber resilience criteria. At the DirectTrust Annual Conference this summer, CISOs from large healthcare organizations shared their experiences responding to real-world cyberattacks. One recurring theme was the need for “offline communication” during the earliest stages of an incident — when systems are compromised, phones and email may be down, and organizations need alternative ways to coordinate.
Some described using encrypted messaging apps; others even relied on old-school tools like walkie-talkies. What mattered most was not just having a backup plan but practicing it through tabletop drills and playbook exercises. That insight from the field was reviewed by the Criteria Council and is now part of our recommended best practices — not because a regulation required it, but because our community identified it as the smart thing to do.
This is a great example of how the criteria process works: frontline knowledge from the healthcare community becomes part of accreditation standards, strengthening everyone’s ability to safeguard data and maintain trust.
A Self-Governing Process
Once accredited, organizations have the opportunity to help shape the future of our criteria. They are invited to serve on the Criteria Council, where they can recommend retiring outdated requirements, suggest new ones, and approve updates tied to both regulations and industry best practices. Some members go on to serve on the Commission, which reviews accreditation reports and votes on approvals. This self-governing process keeps the criteria fresh and relevant to the realities of healthcare data exchange. They remain current and grounded in lived experience.
Your Role in Criteria Development
The proposed 2026 criteria are now open for review through mid-November. We invite you to download them, consider their relevance in your organization, and provide feedback. Your comments will help shape the next iteration of accreditation standards and ensure they remain both practical and forward-looking.
Accreditation is about more than checking boxes; it’s about building trust. Transparency, collaboration, and self-governance are the foundation of that trust, and your input helps keep it strong.
Download the proposed 2026 criteria and submit your comments here.