JCAHO

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) is a United States-based nonprofit organization that accredits over 22,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the country. The organization is based in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, and also has an office in Washington D.C.

History

The JCAHO was established in 1951 as a joint venture between the American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Hospital Association, and the Canadian Medical Association. Its primary purpose is to provide accreditation to healthcare organizations that meet certain standards of quality.

Function

The JCAHO conducts regular surveys of healthcare organizations to assess their compliance with the established standards. These surveys are conducted by a team of healthcare professionals who are trained to evaluate the organization's policies, procedures, and practices. The results of these surveys are used to determine whether the organization is eligible for accreditation.

Accreditation

Accreditation by the JCAHO is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards. To earn and maintain accreditation, an organization must undergo an on-site survey by a Joint Commission survey team at least every three years.

Criticism

The JCAHO has been criticized for being too lenient with hospitals and for having conflicts of interest. Some critics argue that the organization is more interested in collecting fees from hospitals than in ensuring patient safety.

See also

• Healthcare in the United States
• Hospital accreditation
• List of healthcare accreditation organizations in the United States

References

JCAHO Resources
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