Joint Commission (JCAHO)
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) operates voluntary accreditation programs for hospitals and other healthcare services. JCAHO certifies hospitals as having met the condition of participation required for reimbursement under the federal Medicare program. A majority of state governments recognizes JCAHO accreditation as a condition of licensure and receiving Medicaid reimbursement. Inspections are typically tri-annual with accreditation and survey findings made publicly available.
Listed below are a series of topics about the JCAHO. Click on the title for more detailed information.
JCAHO Background
The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits nearly 19,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, not-for-profit organization, the Joint Commission is the nation's predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare.
Environment of Care Standards
The JCAHO requirements that apply to environmental management programs are described in the management of the environment of care (EC) standards.
- Inside ASHE Article: Jan/Feb 2004 Scoring the Standards (members only!)
- Inside ASHE Article: July/Aug 2003 -- 2004 National Patient Safety Goals (members only!)
- Inside ASHE Article: June 2003 -- 2004 Environment of Care Standards (members only!)
- Regulatory Advisory: Dec 2000 Waterborne Pathogens - Compliance with JCAHO Requirements
Accreditation Categories
The category which describes the healthcare organizations compliance with applicable Joint COmmission standards in all performance areas.
Accreditation Process Circa 2004
In 1999, the Joint Commission issued a white paper entitled "The Possible Accreditation Process Circa 2003". In that communication, the vision for a possible future accreditation process was set forth. This with paper proposed the development, testing and evaluation of an operational model that would meet the goals set out by the vision and its guiding principles. The purpose of "The Accreditation Process Circa 2004" is to summarize the progress made in this regard and describe a new accreditation model to be launched in 2004 that embodies the attributes and potential benefits defined in the original white paper.
Deemed Status
What is Federal Deemed Status?
In order for healthcare organizations to participate in and receive payment from the Medicare and Medicaid programs, it must be certified as complying with the Conditions of Participation, or standards, set forth in federal regulations.