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The Joint Commission Fact Sheet

  • Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission accredits or certifies more than 22,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. 

Mission: 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. 

Vision: All people always experience the safest, highest quality, best-value health care across all settings.

An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. To earn and maintain The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval®, an organization undergoes an on-site survey by a Joint Commission survey team at least every three years. (Laboratories are surveyed every two years.) 

The Joint Commission is governed by a 21-member Board of Commissioners that includes physicians, administrators, nurses, employers, educators, and quality, safety, and innovation experts. The Joint Commission employs approximately 1,300 people in its field staff, at its central office in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, and at an office in Washington, D.C.

The Joint Commission accredits or certifies a variety of health care settings and services. For more information, visit jointcommission.org.

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