The Joint Commission

Excerpt

The Joint Commission (TJC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization created in 1951 that accredits more than 20,000 US health care programs and organizations. TJC's goal and mission are to ensure quality healthcare for patients, prevent harm, and improve patient advocacy. About 70 to 80% of TJC functions directly address the issue of patient safety. The Joint Commission's stated mission is: "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." TJC has specific quality measures holding healthcare organizations accountable for health-related outcomes. TJC offers an unbiased assessment of the organizations' quality achievement in patient care and safety. It mainly accredits organizations in the US but also in many other countries around the globe. The certification by TJC provides organizations with a 'report card' format for ease of understanding in healthcare consumers.