Which TJC Accreditation Program is Right for Your Organization?

TJC Accreditation Program

The Joint Commission (TJC) was founded in 1951 and evaluates and accredits more than 19,000 health care organizations in the US. TJC’s main emphasis is to provide safe and effective care of the highest quality and value.  TJC accreditation programs are specific to the type of organization.

All TJC accreditation programs are valid for 3 years with the exception of Laboratory which is valid for 2 years. Following is a summary of each type of accreditation and the benefits associated with each:

Ambulatory Care:

1. Established in 1975
2. Approximately 1,900 accredited organizations
3. CMS provides deemed status to TJC for Ambulatory Care accreditation
4. Some of the benefits include: strong commitment to patient safety and patient care, easier access to managed care contracts, nationally known benchmark of quality, increased competitive edge, and surveyors offer insights and compliance hints

Behavioral Health:

1. Established in 1969, began accrediting in 1972
2. Approximately 2,000 accredited organizations
3. Benefits include: recognized by many state authorities, condition of reimbursement, provides customized review, and increased ability to attract and retain quality staff

Critical Access Hospitals:

1. Established in 2001
2. Approximately 1,327 accredited organizations
3. Some of the benefits include: organizes and strengthens patient safety efforts, provides competitive edge, improves risk management, improves staff recruitment, provides deeming authority for Medicare certification, recognized by insurance companies, and may fulfill state regulatory requirements

Home Care:

1. Established in 1988
2. Approximately 5,600 accredited organizations
3. Some of the benefits include: commitment to high level of patient safety and patient care, easier access to managed care contracts, nationally recognized benchmark, constructive educational possibilities, surveyors offer insights and tips, and dedicated account executive
4. Deemed status relationships with hospices and home health

Hospital:

1. Established approximately 60 years ago
2. Approximately 4,168 accredited organizations
3. Some of the benefits include: strengthens patient safety, improves community confidence, increases competitive advantage,improves staff recruitment, provides deeming authority for Medicare certification, recognized by insurers, and may fulfill state regulatory requirements.

Laboratory:

1. Established in 1979
2. Approximately 1,700 accredited organizations
3. Deemed status by CMS

Long-Term Care

1. Established in 1966
2. Approximately 1,000 accredited organizations
3. 3.       Some of the benefits include: improving organizational performance, demonstrating a commitment to quality and safety, reducing risk, and improving recruitment of staff

Office-Based Surgery

1. Established in 2001
2. Approximately 500 accredited organizations
3. Some of the benefits include: commitment to high quality patient safety and care, easier access to managed care contracts, increased competitive edge, and nationally recognized benchmark,

Additionally, TJC just added in 2011 the Primary Care Medical Home Certification. This certification is available to organizations which have already achieved Ambulatory Care Accreditation.