Research BMJ 2022; 377 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2020-063064 (Published 23 June 2022) Cite this as: BMJ 2022;377:e063064
The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 22,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including hospitals and health care organizations that provide ambulatory and office-based surgery, behavioral health, home health care, laboratory and nursing care center services. Healthcare organizations accredited by the Joint Commission are communicating to the public that they are serious about patient safety, the quality and consistency of their services, and accountability for patient and resident outcomes. In fact, the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval allows healthcare organizations to provide a link to their Quality Check™ which can be used to promote the value of accreditation by having the Joint Commission as a public source of quality validation. Organizations that qualify for the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal are confirming their commitment to National Patient Safety Goals that apply to their accreditation. The Joint Commission scoring and decision process is based on an evaluation of compliance with Joint Commission standards, an unannounced survey, and other requirements (some exceptions apply). The survey is designed to encourage healthcare organizations to be continuously ready to demonstrate their compliance with Joint Commission standards, which include:
The process is designed to reduce unnecessary cost and preparation associated with previously planned surveys. However, not all surveys are unannounced. The TJC team gives a seven-day notice for select surveys including ambulatory care program, behavioral health care program, healthcare staffing certification program, and so on. See the complete list of exceptions to unannounced surveys here. Why Healthcare Facilities Shout Get AccreditedWhat does the Joint Commission accreditation offer to healthcare organizations? Here are highlights of our observations of the benefits provided by the organizations that become or maintain accreditation:
Joint Commission accreditation for healthcare organizations requires a significant commitment by the leadership, providers and staff to strive for continuous improvement and achieve excellence. Organizations that align their patient safety efforts with Joint Commission accreditation standards define each team member’s role and responsibilities to reduce the risk for patient harm. During the on-site surveys, the TJC surveyors give professional advice and counsel that will enhance the healthcare staff’s existing knowledge and skills. Accredited organizations can also easily measure their performance and find customized solutions for challenging healthcare problems, by accessing the Leading Practice Library. The library topics include real life solutions that have been successfully implemented by health care organizations and reviewed by Joint Commission standards experts. The tools provided by the Joint Commission are by design, a method to better organize and strengthen patient safety efforts, such as suicide risk screens, anesthesia orders, airway alerts, and other life-threatening issues that are relevant across many healthcare settings.
What happens when healthcare organizations comply with the highest standards of patient care? Of course, it will gain trust from the public. Not only that it helps form a positive impression, but it also provides them with a competitive edge in the marketplace. People will always choose a facility that’s aligned with one of the most respected names in healthcare. And since The Joint Commission’s standards focus on clinical practice guidelines and performance improvement strategies, accredited organizations can establish a consistent approach to care. This means they can reduce the risk of error or low-quality care. Lastly, healthcare facilities with Joint Commission accreditation can attract qualified talents. Most healthcare practitioners prefer working in an accredited organization because of the opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge.
Enhancing healthcare operations can sometimes be a daunting task. But in the case of TJC-accredited healthcare organizations, handling and improving daily business operations is manageable. That’s because The Joint Commission provides continuing support and education services to accredited organizations in a variety of settings. The TJC team came from various healthcare industries, thus ensuring organizations customized and intensive review. Since The Joint Commission conducts on-site surveys, it will help organizations maintain a high level of compliance with the latest standards. The surveys will also guide them in improving their organizational structure, management, and overall efforts.
The best thing about being accredited by The Joint Commission is that you will earn public recognition and validate the outstanding contributions and commitments to quality by physicians and staff. Some accredited healthcare facilities automatically qualify for Medicare and Medicaid certification and avoid state CMS agency surveys if they are deemed Medicare. TJC-accredited organizations may also be exempt from other regulatory requirements in select states. They don’t need to undergo duplicative surveys or inspections that would only consume their working hours. Also, such accreditation gives facilities the advantage of being recognized by insurers and other third parties. In some markets, insurance companies see accreditation a prerequisite to eligibility for reimbursement and participation in managed care plans. The TakeawayAccreditation goes beyond complying with the standards. It becomes part of the organization’s culture by ensuring patient safety and organizational transparency at every level and is a symbol of high-quality and trustworthy patient care. The Joint Commission has many tools and professionals that will guide an organization through the accreditation process, which includes significant and ongoing documentation. Organizations considering accreditation and those already accredited should consider online compliance and learning management software for the distribution, tracking, and evidence of compliance as another tool to increase efficiency and reduce cost. Sourceshttps://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/newsletters/newsletters/quick-safety/quick-safety-issue-22-patient-safety-systems-chapter/quick-safety-22-patient-safety-systems-chapter-a-mustread/ https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/deprecated-unorganized/imported-assets/tjc/system-folders/topics-library/leading_practice_librarypdf.pdf?db=web&hash=B6185C90BE416FBE0763BCEE6C4965A7 https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/fact-sheets/accreditation-process-overview-fact-sheet-06-28-19.pdf
The Joint Commission, founded in 1951, is an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies health care businesses and programs nationwide. The organization began as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals (JCAH). In 1987, JCAH became the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), and in 2007 the name was shortened to the Joint Commission. The Joint Commission also has a global arm, Joint Commission International (JCI), which works with health care organizations in other countries to help them improve patient care standards. Today, nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs are accredited and certified by the Joint Commission, ensuring they meet a series of quality and performance standards. Their mission statement, “To 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.” speaks to the driving goals of the Joint Commission. What types of organizations seek accreditation from the Joint Commission? Most health care organizations can apply for Joint Commission accreditation. This includes hospitals, health clinics, doctor’s offices, assisted living communities, nursing homes, surgical centers, behavioral health care facilities and addiction service providers. Because accreditation requirements vary depending on the health care setting or program, there are comprehensive accreditation manuals available for specific fields, including ambulatory care, behavioral health care, home care, hospitals and nursing care centers. In order to keep their standards as transparent as possible, the Joint Commission sells copies of these manuals to the public on their website. Accreditation surveys evaluate whether applicants are providing patient care, treatment and services in a high quality, safe manner and whether their procedures match the quality standards set by the Commission. Once an organization is accredited and certified by the Joint Commission, it must undergo an onsite survey every three years to maintain accreditation. The Joint Commission may also choose to make an unannounced site visit and survey anytime between 18 and 36 months after the full survey is conducted. Who performs the survey and how is it conducted? Surveyors for the Joint Commission are certified professionals, and may include doctors, nurses, hospital administrators and others. Surveyors randomly choose several patient records to evaluate, often talk to those patients and interview staff members who have had contact with the patients. The standards reviewed cover a wide range of topics and vary according to the type of healthcare organization or service offered. For example, a hospital accreditation survey evaluates over 250 standards, considering such areas as patient rights, infection control, medication management, preventing medical errors, how the hospital verifies staff competencies and many other areas. Behavioral Health Care and Addiction Services Since 1972, the Joint Commission has been responsible for accrediting mental health organizations and chemical dependency services. Currently, almost 2,000 behavioral health organizations are accredited by the Joint Commission. These organizations include providers who treat mental health, addiction, eating disorders and other behavioral health challenges. According to their standards, the Joint Commission looks for “a trauma-informed, recovery/resilience-oriented philosophy and approach to care, treatment and services” in the providers they survey. In addition to meeting the required standards of patient care, treatment and services, behavioral health organizations must also adhere to standards regarding medication-assisted opioid treatment programs. Joint Commission performance standards In order to accomplish their goals, the Joint Commission develops comprehensive performance standards for health care organizations and programs, including quality of patient care, adherence to medication safety standards, infection control procedures and patient rights. Performance standards developed by the Joint Commission “focus on important patient, individual, or resident care and organization functions that are essential to providing safe, high-quality care.” Development of performance standards is a vital and complex process, and the Joint Commission continually reviews their standards as new scientific research becomes available. The Joint Commission currently develops standards with the help of health care experts, government programs such as Medicare, and scientific research. Before a new standard can be implemented, the Joint Commission publishes a draft on their website, where it is open to public feedback. Only after the Joint Commission Board of Directors approves a standard is it made final. Why does accreditation matter? At the heart of Joint Commission accreditation is a single goal: that each patient receives safe, high-quality health care treatment and services. While patient safety is the primary reason for Joint Commission accreditation, there are other benefits for organizations. For example, in order to qualify for Medicaid or Medicare reimbursement, most states require that organizations have Joint Commission accreditation. Other benefits of accreditation may include:
Accreditation by the Joint Commission is a recognition that sets an organization apart and indicates that they utilize the highest standards in health care. Clients, patients and their families can be confident they are receiving high-quality treatment when seeking care from a Joint Commission-accredited organization or program. Turning Point of Tampa’s goal is to always provide a safe environment and a solid foundation in 12-Step recovery, in tandem with quality individual therapy and groups. We have been offering Licensed Residential Treatment for Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders and Dual Diagnosis in Tampa since 1987. If you need help or know someone who does, please contact our admissions department at 813-882-3003, 800-397-3006 or . |
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