2025 survey enhancements: Modified for-cause survey process

Effective immediately for all accredited, certified, and verified health care organizations, The Joint Commission has modified its survey processes to help organizations better understand a for-cause survey. Specifically, when a complaint is submitted about an organization resulting in a for-cause survey, The Joint Commission is now providing transparency about the areas of the organization to be surveyed. Surveyors will review the plan for the day, introducing the general reason for the survey, without revealing the specific details of the allegation to the organization unless confidentiality has been waived.

At the close of the visit, surveyors will provide a verbal overview of observations, including the associated chapters from the appropriate accreditation, certification, or verification manual, allowing the organization to ask questions or clarify any information.