Discontinuation of Network Accreditation Program
The Joint Commission discontinued its network accreditation program (for integrated delivery systems, managed care organizations, managed behavioral health care organizations, and preferred provider organizations), effective January 1, 2006. However, the Joint Commission will continue to provide a full array of support services and oversight to organizations accredited under this program through the end of each organization's respective accreditation award period. No new accreditation surveys or resurveys under this program will be conducted. The Joint Commission created the accreditation program for networks in order to leverage improvements in the quality and safety of care provided by these organizations.
The Joint Commission believes that this impact was realized in those organizations that sought and achieved accreditation. However, relatively small numbers of networks have pursued accreditation as a safety and quality improvement process. This lack of demand has impaired the Joint Commission's ability to broadly impact the safety and quality of care in this field. In taking this action, the Joint Commission intends to focus its finite resources on those service settings accredited under its larger and more successful accreditation programs. The Joint Commission believes that this investment will have more enduring impacts on improving the safety and quality of health care in this country.