Who is The Joint Commission?

The Joint Commission is the world leader in evaluating the quality and safety of care delivered in over 15,000 health care organizations across the country—from hospitals to home care providers, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, behavioral health centers, critical access hospitals and laboratories.

The Joint Commission is governed by a board that includes physicians, nurses, medical directors, and consumers. The Joint Commission sets the standards by which health care quality is measured in America and around the world.

To maintain and earn accreditation, a hospital undergoes an extensive on-site review by a select team of Joint Commission professionals such as administrators, physicians, and nurses at least once every three years. The purpose of the review is to evaluate the hospital's performance in areas that affect patient care. Through an assessment of a hospital’s processes and personal visits with its patients and staff, the hospital is evaluated and scored. Accreditation may then be awarded based on how well the hospital met Joint Commission standards.

St. Joseph Medical Center underwent an extensive on-site review by a select team of Joint Commission professionals on April 14 & 15, 2009. Subsequently, St. Joseph Medical Center was awarded continued accreditation.

What does Joint Commission accreditation of my hospital mean to me?

Because its standards are regarded as the most rigorous in the industry, hospitals that choose to be evaluated by The Joint Commission are therefore committed to providing the highest level of quality care to their patients. The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval™ is a clear sign that the accredited organization has demonstrated compliance to the most stringent standards of performance.

Look for The Joint Commission
Gold Seal of Approval™
when selecting your hospital.