Joint Commission standards are the basis of an objective evaluation process that can help health care organizations measure, assess and improve performance. The standards focus on important patient, client or resident care and organization functions that are essential to providing safe, high quality care. The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards set expectations for organization performance that are reasonable, achievable and surveyable.
Standards Improvement Initiative
The Joint Commission launched the Standards Improvement Initiative (SII) in October 2006 as part of its continuous effort to improve the standards. Improvements, both format and language edits, went into effect January 1, 2009 for the Phase I programs — ambulatory, critical access hospital, home care, hospital, and office-based surgery. The 2009 accreditation manuals for these programs include the SII improvements, which are also available as electronic “E-ditions.”
Work continues on the Phase II programs—behavioral health care, laboratory, and long term care. The 2009 accreditation manuals for these programs include changes to the Leadership and Life Safety Code®, revised scoring and decision methods, and an E-dition version of the standards. In 2010, most Phase II revisions will be implemented January 1. However, improvements to the Provision of Care, Treatment and Services Chapter (for behavioral health care organizations only) will be implemented at a later date.
Changes resulting from the hospital deeming application
As part of The Joint Commission’s hospital deeming application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), language changes are being made to the hospital standards to meet CMS requirements. Some of these changes add specificity to existing Joint Commission standards; other changes could potentially lead to new requirements. The Joint Commission will continue to work with CMS to resolve any remaining issues. CMS’ final decision on the application is expected by the end of 2009. See the current revisions at on the Web site.
Standards development process
Joint Commission standards are developed with input from health care professionals, providers, measurement experts, consumers, government agencies and employers. New standards are added only when they will have a direct effect on the quality or safety of care. The standards development process includes the following steps:
- The need for new standards is identified by accredited organizations, professional associations, consumer groups and others.
- The Joint Commission prepares draft standards using input from external task forces, focus groups and experts.
- The draft standards are reviewed by field-specific Professional and Technical Advisory Committees (PTACs) and a committee of the Board of Commissioners.
- The draft standards are sent to stakeholders for review and made available for comment on The Joint Commission Web site.
- The draft standards are revised and reviewed by the appropriate PTAC(s) and the Board.
- The approved standards are published for use by the field.
Standards manuals
Each accredited organization receives a free print copy of the applicable standards manual, in addition to access to the E-dition.
- Printed manual: Divided into two sections: Requirements for Accreditation, which includes the standards chapters in alphabetical order; and Policies, Procedures and Other Information which includes information about the accreditation process and accreditation-related activities.
- E-dition: An electronic, searchable version of the accreditation manuals. All organizations receive one complimentary, single-user license E-dition. This single-user license allows anyone in the organization to access E-dition on a one person at-a-time basis. The E-dition may be upgraded by purchasing a multi-use site license or additional single-user licenses.
WikiHealthCare™ and standards development
Any health care professional can collaborate to develop standards and quality improvement solutions through The Joint Commission’s WikiHealthCareTM application. This Internet-based forum can be accessed through a link on The Joint Commission’s home page, or directly at http://wikihealthcare.jointcommission.org. Registered users can discuss, edit and create content which is then available to the entire community.
For more information
To see the latest initiatives, improvements and FAQs about Joint Commission standards, go to the Web site.