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How the Non-Profit ‘Joint Commission’ Strives to Improve Healthcare
An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 20,500 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.
According to their Mission Statement, the goal of the Joint Commission is “(t)o continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value.”
All member health care organizations are subject to a three-year accreditation cycle, while laboratories are surveyed every two years. With respect to hospital surveys, the organization does not make its findings public. However, it does provide the organization's accreditation decision, the date that accreditation was awarded, and any standards that were cited for improvement. Organizations deemed to be in compliance with all or most of the applicable standards are awarded the status of Accreditation.