Functional teams lead to Joint Commission success

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Quality Improvement
• Accreditation Standards

Background:

• The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (Joint Commission) has evolved its survey process to assess healthcare organizations holistically.
• Traditional survey preparation methods may be insufficient with the shift towards organizational-level evaluation.
• Effective strategies are crucial for maintaining accreditation and ensuring high standards of care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel approach for preparing healthcare organizations for accreditation surveys.
• To demonstrate the effectiveness of a team-based strategy aligned with key organizational functions.
• To provide a model for successful Joint Commission survey preparation.

Main Methods:

• Staten Island University Hospital implemented a survey preparation strategy.
• Teams were established, with each team focusing on one of the eleven important functions identified by the Joint Commission.
• This structured, function-based approach facilitated comprehensive review and readiness.

Main Results:

• The hospital achieved a successful survey outcome.
• The team-based, function-specific approach proved effective in addressing the comprehensive nature of the revised survey process.
• This method enhanced organizational preparedness and compliance.

Conclusions:

• A team-based strategy, centered on the eleven important functions, is a viable and effective method for preparing for Joint Commission surveys.
• This approach supports a holistic evaluation of healthcare organizations.
• Successful survey outcomes can be attributed to proactive, function-focused preparation.