What is the primary purpose of The Joint Commission in health care?

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Accreditation and certification of health care organizations to improve patient safety and quality of care is what The Joint Commission does. It writes and updates standards that organizations must meet to earn and maintain accreditation. Teams conduct on-site surveys to assess adherence to those standards, and if an organization demonstrates consistent quality and safety practices, the Joint Commission grants accreditation. This process signals to patients, providers, and payers that the organization is committed to ongoing quality improvement and safety. The Joint Commission’s work helps facilities meet requirements that can influence reimbursement, especially with Medicare and Medicaid, but it does not fund hospital construction, set drug prices, or manage staffing. Those tasks are handled by other entities or internal hospital leadership.