The scoring and decision process is based on the criticality of the standards and other requirements regarding their relationship to the quality and safety of patient care. The Joint Commission strives to ensure that standards compliance scoring and the accreditation decisions are:
- Reflective of an organization’s performance with respect to Joint Commission standards and elements of performance (EPs)
- Transparent – all components of the process are fully disclosed to accredited and certified organizations.
- Easily understood by all involved parties.
- Based on the premise that some standards are “critical,” or more directly impact the patient than others.