Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. To earn and maintain The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval®, an organization undergoes an on-site survey by a Joint Commission survey team at least every three years.
If you would like to report concerns about the safety and quality of care of the individual served please click HERE to report to The Joint Commission.
The Joint Commission’s standards and emphasis on clinical practice guidelines help organizations establish a consistent approach to care, reducing the risk of error. Certification standards help organize the disease management program. This helps to maintain a consistently high level of quality, using effective data-driven performance improvement. Certification provides an opportunity for staff to develop their skills and knowledge. Achieving certification provides the clinical team with common goals and a concrete validation of their combined efforts.
Joint Commission reviewers have significant experience evaluating disease management programs. They are trained to provide expert advice and education on good practices during an on-site review. Organizations must demonstrate the ability to provide treatment that addresses the health needs of the whole person, potentially improving overall satisfaction with the care experience.
Organizations undergo a rigorous on-site survey. During the review, a Joint Commission expert surveyor evaluates compliance with standards relating to key concepts of person-centered health care to support recovery and resilience philosophies. Meeting Joint Commission standards is an accomplishment recognized with the awarding of The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™. Certified organizations proudly display the Gold Seal to demonstrate their commitment to health care quality.
Achieving certification makes a strong statement to the community about an organization’s efforts to provide the highest quality services. Clients can feel assured that they are choosing a reputable institution when it is Joint Commission Certified.
Accreditation is a sign of quality and is an important consideration for clients in their decision-making. Accreditation allows clients and referrers to compare programs on key areas such as durability of outcomes, cost-effectiveness, quality and consistency of care, patient satisfaction, qualifications of staff and all the other factors that influence a referral choice. In some markets, certification is becoming a prerequisite to eligibility for insurance reimbursement, or participation for managed care plans and contract bidding.
The Division of Health Quality Assurance protects Floridians through oversight of health care providers. Health Quality Assurance licenses and/or certifies and regulates 40 different types of health care providers, including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies.
The Florida Department of Children and Families is committed to protecting the vulnerable, promoting strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advancing personal and family recovery and resiliency.
