Glossary
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), now known as The Joint Commission, is an independent, not-for-profit organization that sets the standards for and accredits over 20,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States. The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. The Joint Commission was established in 1951 with the primary purpose of ensuring that patients always receive the highest quality of care in healthcare facilities. It does this by evaluating and accrediting health care organizations that meet its established performance standards. These standards focus on the quality and safety of patient care. They are developed in consultation with healthcare experts, providers, measurement experts, and patients.
The Joint Commission's accreditation process is designed to help organizations identify and resolve problems and to inspire them to improve the safety and quality of care and services provided. The process focuses on systems critical to the safety and quality of care, treatment, and services. Accreditation by The Joint Commission is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization's commitment to meeting certain performance standards. It is a means of demonstrating to the public that a healthcare organization has made a commitment to provide the highest level of care and is willing to undergo rigorous evaluation to validate this commitment. The Joint Commission's comprehensive accreditation process evaluates an organization's compliance with these standards and other accreditation requirements. The Joint Commission accreditation process is designed to accommodate specific circumstances and characteristics of each organization, and it involves assessing a healthcare organization's level of performance in specific areas, identifying areas of improvement, and providing education and guidance on best practices. The Joint Commission conducts surveys of healthcare organizations to assess their compliance with the established standards.
The survey process is data-driven, patient-centered, and focuses on evaluating actual care processes. The survey process is designed to be a collaborative process between the healthcare organization and The Joint Commission surveyors. The Joint Commission also provides education and training on its standards and on the survey process, to help healthcare organizations understand and meet the requirements. It provides a variety of educational programs and resources, including seminars, webinars, publications, and online resources. In addition to its accreditation services, The Joint Commission also provides certification of more than 1,000 disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and healthcare staffing services. In the area of patient safety, The Joint Commission develops and provides a wide range of resources to help healthcare organizations improve patient safety. The Joint Commission also conducts research and analysis to advance patient safety and quality of care. It publishes a variety of reports and publications on patient safety and quality issues, and it provides a wealth of information and resources on its website.
In conclusion, The Joint Commission plays a critical role in improving the safety and quality of care provided by healthcare organizations in the United States. Its accreditation and certification processes help to ensure that patients receive the highest level of care, and its educational programs and resources help healthcare organizations to continually improve their performance. The Joint Commission's work is guided by a commitment to improving patient safety and quality of care, and it is a valuable resource for healthcare organizations and the public.