The JCAHO Standards: Ensuring High Quality Healthcare Facilities
1. JCAHO Stands: Ensuring Health Care Facilities High Quality
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, also known as JCAHO, is a private, not-for-profit organization that sets standards for the quality and safety of care in all types of healthcare facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory care centers, home health agencies, and behavioral health facilities.
The standards were originally set by the American College of Surgeons and the American Hospital Association in the early 1900s. Franklin Martin and Edwin Crosby, two early leaders in the fight for accreditation, believed that healthcare facilities should be charged with ensuring the quality of care they provided. In order to do this, they set up a system of surveys in which disabled individuals, mental hospitals, and ambulances were inspected for compliance with minimum standards.
The first accreditation plan was developed in 1951 by JCAHO. The accreditation process includes a review of the facility’s policies and procedures, as well as on-site inspections by JCAHO surveyors. Surveyors observe the facility’s staff and patients to make sure that they are adhering to JCAHO standards.
JCAHO accreditation is voluntary, but many healthcare facilities choose to undergo the accreditation process because it provides them with a stamp of approval that can be used to attract patients and insurance contracts. In addition, JCAHO-accredited facilities are often seen as being more responsible and trustworthy than non-accredited ones.
The benefits of JCAHO accreditation extend beyond just quality assurance. JCAHO-accredited facilities also receive recognition for their commitment to quality care. For example, the prestigious Hammer Award is given annually to a JCAHO-accredited facility that has made significant strides in improving the quality of care it provides.
In recent years, JCAHO has expanded its reach beyond the United States. In 2005, it opened an office in Dubai to help healthcare facilities in the United Arab Emirates meet international standards. And in 2007, it signed an agreement with the World Health Organization to promote quality improvement initiatives globally.
JCAHO is just one of many organizations that are working to improve the quality of healthcare around the world. But its role in setting standards and promoting best practices makes it a vital part of the effort to ensure that all patients receive high-quality care.
2. The JCAHO Standards
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) is a private, not-for-profit organization that sets standards for the quality and safety of care in all types of healthcare facilities.
JCAHO develops its standards through a consensus process that involves input from healthcare professionals, consumers, government agencies, and other interested parties. Standards are updated on a regular basis to keep pace with changes in the healthcare industry.
There are two types of JCAHO standards:
• Fundamental standards are those that must be met in order for a facility to be accredited. They address important issues such as patient rights, infection control, and medication safety.
• Element of performance standards are those that describe how a facility should meet the fundamental standards. For example, one element of performance for the standard on infection control might be “All employees wash their hands before coming into contact with patients.”
JCAHO standards are used in the accreditation process (see section 3), but they also serve as a guide for healthcare facilities that are working to improve the quality of care they provide. Many facilities use JCAHO’s “Sentinel Event Policy” as a roadmap for implementing quality improvement initiatives.
3. The Accreditation Process
The accreditation process begins with a self-assessment by the healthcare facility. This self-assessment is followed by an on-site survey by JCAHO surveyors. Surveyors observe the facility’s staff and patients to make sure that they are adhering to JCAHO standards. If the surveyors find that the facility is not in compliance with JCAHO standards, they will recommend corrective action. The correction action plan must be approved by JCAHO before it can be implemented. Once the corrective actions have been taken, the facility will be re-surveyed to make sure that they are effective. If they are found to be effective, the facility will be accredited for another three years. If not, the facility will have six months to make further corrections before it risks losing its accreditation.
The accreditation process is voluntary, but many healthcare facilities choose to undergo it because it provides them with a stamp of approval that can be used to attract patients and insurance contracts. In addition, JCAHO-accredited facilities are often seen as being more responsible and trustworthy than non-accredited ones.
4. The Benefits of JCAHO Accreditation
There are many benefits of JCAHO accreditation beyond just quality assurance. JCAHO-accredited facilities also receive recognition for their commitment to quality care. For example, the prestigious Hammer Award is given annually to a JCAHO-accredited facility that has made significant strides in improving the quality of care it provides. Other benefits of JCAHO accreditation include:
• Increased patient safety: JCAHO’s rigorous accreditation process helps to ensure that healthcare facilities are providing safe and high-quality care.
• Improved patient satisfaction: Patients who receive care at JCAHO-accredited facilities tend to be more satisfied with their care than those who do not.
• Enhanced reputation: JCAHO accreditation can improve a healthcare facility’s reputation and make it more attractive to patients and insurers.
• Improved quality of care: JCAHO-accredited facilities are required to meet high standards for the quality of care they provide. This can lead to improved patient outcomes.
5. In Conclusion
JCAHO accreditation is a voluntary process that many healthcare facilities choose to undergo in order to improve the quality of care they provide. The accreditation process is rigorous and includes an on-site survey by JCAHO surveyors. Surveyors observe the facility’s staff and patients to make sure that they are adhering to JCAHO standards. If the surveyors find that the facility is not in compliance with JCAHO standards, they will recommend corrective action. Once the corrective actions have been taken, the facility will be re-surveyed to make sure that they are effective. If they are found to be effective, the facility will be accredited for another three years. If not, the facility will have six months to make further corrections before it risks losing its accreditation.
The benefits of JCAHO accreditation extend beyond just quality assurance. JCAHO-accredited facilities also receive recognition for their commitment to quality care. For example, the prestigious Hammer Award is given annually to a JCAHO-accredited facility that has made significant strides in improving the quality of care it provides. In addition, JCAHO-accredited facilities are often seen as being more responsible and trustworthy than non-accredited ones.
JCAHO accreditation is just one of many organizations that are working to improve the quality of healthcare around the world. But its role in setting standards and promoting best practices makes it a vital part of the effort to ensure that all patients receive high-quality care.