Which of the following is NOT included in the Joint Commission's initial core measure sets for hospitals?

The correct answer is that diabetes is not included in the Joint Commission's initial core measure sets for hospitals. The core measure sets were developed to standardize and focus on critical conditions that are prevalent and impactful in the hospital setting. Acute myocardial infarction, pneumonia, and surgical infection prevention are part of these initial sets because they are conditions with significant public health implications and measurable outcomes.

Diabetes, while important in healthcare, was not initially included in the core measures because it is often managed in outpatient settings and has a broader range of treatments and complications that don't fit as easily into the acute treatment framework that the initial measures focus on. The core measures are designed to drive performance improvement in areas with clear protocols and evidence-based guidelines to follow, something that is less straightforward with diabetes management compared to the other conditions listed.