Understanding the Joint Commission: Accreditation & Patient Safety

The Joint Commission is a health care accreditation agency with a reputation for high-quality patient care standards. For an organization to achieve its "Gold Seal of Approval" accreditation status, it must demonstrate compliance with the Joint Commission̵7;s high expectations.

Features

• The purpose of the Joint Commission is to hold health care organizations accountable for providing quality health care and putting patient safety first.

Significance

• The Joint Commission created several organization-specific manuals outlining standards for care, developed out of best-practice guidelines.

Function

• The Joint Commission's specific standards are designed to enhance the safety of the patient with the goal of improving patient outcomes.

Benefits

• Organizations that hold a Joint Commission accreditation are eligible to receive higher reimbursement rates from insurance carriers because accredited organizations have a higher standard of care and work to prevent adverse outcomes during a patient's hospital stay.

Measuring Compliance

• The Joint Commission assesses each organization's compliance with its standards and regulations every three years via unannounced on-site surveys.