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Joint Commission Standards

Joint Commission standards help you develop strategies to address the most complex issues and identify key vulnerabilities in the patient care experience. The standards review various aspects of your care delivery process, ensuring a comprehensive review of the patient care experience.

The accreditation and certification standards manuals are available in print and electronic formats and can be purchased from Joint Commission Resources®.

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National Patient Safety Goals

Find out about the current National Patient Safety Goals® (NPSG) for specific programs.
View NPSGs

Field Reviews 

Contribute to our knowledge base

The Joint Commission regularly updates its requirements for accreditation. As part of that process, we seek input from health care professionals and others with knowledge in a variety of settings. You can help by reading and commenting on proposed requirements related to your practice area.

View Field Reviews

Prepublication Standards

Prepublication standards are used to communicate upcoming changes to our standards and Elements of Performance (EPs). The reports are posted before being published in E-dition and the comprehensive manuals.

View Prepublication Standards

Standards FAQs 

For answers to frequently asked questions about standards, please visit the Standards Interpretation section.

View the Standard FAQs

Universal Protocol

The Universal Protocol is accessible as part of the National Patient Safety Goal chapter from your accreditation manual.
View Universal Protocol

Requirements

Joint Commission Requirements is a free listing of all policy revisions to standards published in Joint Commission Perspectives that have gone into effect since the accreditation/certification manual was last issued.