develops the highest standards for quality and safety in the delivery of health care, and evaluating organization performance based on these standards. Today, more than 19,000 health care organizations use Joint Commission standards to guide how they administer care and continuously improve performance. The Joint Commission is also the only accrediting organization with the capability and experience to evaluate health care organizations across the continuum of care.

What’s the difference between accreditation and certification?
Accreditation can be earned by an entire health care organization, for example, hospitals, nursing homes, office-based surgery practices, home care providers, and labratories.

Both accreditation and certification require an evaluation by The Joint Commission.

The evaluation covers compliance with the standards and other requirements and verifies improvement activities. After earning accreditation or certification, health care organizations receive The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™, a mark of quality.

What is the HOME CARE  Accreditation Program?
The Home Care Accreditation Program was established in 1988 and accredits more than 5,600 organizations. Home care services are provided directly or through a contracted individual or organization. These services include personal care or support, home medical equipment, clinical respiratory services, hospice, pharmacy services, and freestanding ambulatory infusion services existence in some form for more than 60 years. Today, it accredits approximately 4,500 general, children’s, long term acute, psychiatric, rehabilitation and surgical specialty hospitals. Approximately 82 percent of the nation's hospitals (including critical access hospitals) are currently accredited by The Joint Commission.
The Laboratory Services Accreditation Program began with the accreditation of hospital laboratory services in 1979. The Joint Commission has been accrediting freestanding laboratories since 1995. Today, the Joint Commission accredits nearly 2,000 organizations providing laboratory services.


What are the benefits of accreditation or certification for patients?

assure increased confidence in the care provided because you know the organization is:
• continually working to provide the highest quality services.
• periodically evaluated by The Joint Commission for compliance with the standards and other requirements.
• provided with expert advice and education from The Joint Commission about quality improvement.
• able to attract qualified staff because they have more opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge.