What does it mean to be JCAHO-certified?
The Joint Commission’s certification and accreditation are awarded to clinical programs, healthcare organizations, ambulatory care centers, laboratory services, and nursing centers based on certain standards.
Over
22,000 U.S. healthcare programs and organizations are accredited by the Joint Commission, a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501 organization.
According to the
Social Security Amendments of 1865 passed by Congress, JCAHO-certified organizations are allowed to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
The non-profit organization accredits organizations and programs that meet its criteria. The Joint Commission evaluates healthcare centers and programs across the continuum of care to accredit them.
Healthcare organizations may seek JCAHO certification for virtually any medical condition or disease. JCAHO’s criteria for accreditation are evidence-based, and accreditations are voluntary.
All accredited organizations and programs undergo a joint survey performed by the Joint Commission and state authorities. The survey covers compliance with standards of excellence and verifies activities for improvement.
All JCAHO-certified organizations receive The Gold Seal of Approval®, an internationally recognized quality mark.
Organizations seeking accreditation from the Joint Commission must improve patient safety in a broad range of healthcare settings. Though hospitals have been the primary area of focus over the years, the non-profit has expanded its focus to
addiction treatment facilities, incorporate pharmacies, nursing homes, surgical centers, assisted living communities, laboratories, and behavioral health and human resource facilities, such as rehabilitation centers.
JCAHO standards emphasize patient safety and the quality of the delivery of services in a range of healthcare environments. These standards are constantly evolving with feedback and input from healthcare providers, government agencies, patients, and the Board of Commissioners.
JCAHO-accredited organizations provide safe and effective medical care of the highest quality and value. The certification acquired for different programs and services within the organization is specific to the treatment area.
JCAHO-certified programs and services have a structural and management framework that reduces variations in the clinical process.
What are the Standards to Qualify for JCAHO Certification?
The Joint Commission is committed to defining, monitoring, and supporting improvements in the delivery of healthcare services. The non-profit focuses on the highest-quality standards of care and patient safety, which is why all healthcare facilities must strive to acquire JCAHO accreditation.
JCAHO’s standards incorporate 250 points that cover medication safety and management, infection control, emergency management, error prevention and reporting, staff credentialing and certification, and patients’ rights, privacy, and education.
Healthcare organizations must specify how patient and performance data is produced and how it is used to improve the quality of their services.
Patient safety goals are divided into eight categories: ambulatory care, home care, hospital care, behavioral care, critical access, nursing care, lab services, and office-based healthcare. Same-day outpatient care is included in the office-based healthcare category.
The Critical Access Hospital National Patient Safety Goals comprehend seven subcategories: correct identification of patients, improvement in staff communication, safe use of medicines, safe use of alarms, infection prevention, identification of patient safety risks, and surgical mistakes prevention, all of which are solutions to problems in healthcare safety.
According to the Critical Access Hospital National Patient Safety Goals, healthcare facilities must use medicines safely and effectively, and everything must be labeled correctly. The Joint Commission also requires healthcare providers to track and update patient histories and record doses before procedures.
By following all seven goals of Critical Access Hospital and National Patient Safety, healthcare facilities provide the highest-quality services that fulfill their medical obligations.
Facilities must also improve their internal communications to qualify for accreditation. Proper internal communication ensures that the right test results are delivered to the right medical professional who must match them to their patients.
Communication between staff and patients is also paramount in following
HIPAA guidelines. This goal is set to make sure that non-verbal patients and patients with developmental disabilities are identifiable.
In addition to facilities’ policies, each staff member’s dedication to patient privacy and identification is also required to achieve this goal.
The healthcare equipment used in the facility must also be in top-flight condition to prevent infection and correct handling of medical procedures. Each of the eight categories of JCAHO standards for accreditation has a similar number of subcategories.
Why should you choose a JCAHO-certified rehab?
Substance use disorder is a complex brain condition that must be treated in a quality addiction rehab facility. Treatment for substance use disorders like alcoholism may be lifelong, with relapse occurring for affected individuals.
Statistics show that about 40% to 60% of people affected with substance use disorder who have completed treatment will
relapse. Relapse doesn’t mean the end of their recovery journey, it just means that more treatment is needed.
To minimize the risk of relapse, you must ensure that you seek professional treatment in a Joint Commission-certified rehab facility. Patients who opt for JCAHO-certified rehab are less likely to suffer a relapse after completing the treatment.
JCAHO accredited rehab facilities are equipped with all the resources needed to help patients become sober and regain control of their lives.
These facilities run quality addiction
rehab programs that focus on a patient’s physical and psychological recovery and help them reconnect with family, friends, and the community.
Joint Commission-certified rehab centers are committed to rebuilding the damaged lives of individuals with substance use disorder through the highest level of care.
Ready to seek help for addiction? Call us at (800) 643-2108
