Which statement best describes the Joint Commission?

• A. The national accrediting body of health care organizations with two goals of reducing the risk of undesirable patient outcomes and encouraging continuous improvement
• B. The state health department
• C. An international standard body
• D. A hospital staff association

Answer: (C)

The Joint Commission functions as a national accrediting organization for health care facilities in the United States, focused on improving patient safety and the quality of care. Its surveys and accreditation processes are designed to reduce the risk of adverse patient outcomes and drive continuous improvement across health care organizations. It isn’t a state health department, nor is it an international standards body in its core role. (There is a separate Joint Commission International that handles accreditation for some facilities outside the United States, but the Joint Commission itself operates as a U.S.-based national accrediting body.) It also isn’t a hospital staff association.