Accreditation Public Information Policy
Publicly Available Accreditation and Certification Information
Joint Commission International makes the following information about accredited organization and/or certified healthcare organizations available:
- Organizations that achieve accreditation or certification and the specific JCI program(s).
- Organizations that were previously Denied Accreditation, are no longer accredited/certified, or withdrew from the JCI accreditation/certification process.
- Organization’s accreditation and/or certification history (i.e., how long has the organization been accredited and dates).
- The date of an organization’s/program’s most recent full survey, any subsequent surveys since its last full survey, as well as any subsequent updates to the final accreditation decisions.
- A list of an organization’s previous accreditation and/or program’s certification decisions and the effective date of those decisions for the past two (2) cycles.
Release of Aggregate Data
Joint Commission International reserves the right to publish or release aggregate data which does not identify individual organizations. Protected health and personal information will not be made publicly available.
Release of Aggregate, Alleged Complaint-Related Information
Joint Commission International addresses all incidents reported to Joint Commission International that pertain to alleged patient safety or quality of care issues within the scope of Joint Commission International standards. The term complaint refers to an alleged adverse event, unsafe condition, or concern. As used here, the term complaint includes potentially relevant reports that are received from governmental agencies, identified in the media, or otherwise obtained by Joint Commission International. Should complaints contain personal identifiable information, it is the policy of Joint Commission International that it will only disclose personal identifiable information if authorized by the patient, designee, or otherwise authorized by law.
Upon written request from any party, Joint Commission International releases the following information relating to an accredited healthcare organization:
- The number complaints about an accredited organization or a certified program for the three-year period prior to receipt of the request, and
- Whether a For-Cause survey was conducted based on the information derived from a complaint or public sources.
Release of Specific Complaint-Related Information
Joint Commission International also provides the following information as appropriate to complainants regarding their complaints (and those with written authorization from the complainant):
- Confirmation of the receipt of the complaint and that it will be reviewed to determine what, if any, Joint Commission International action is warranted.
- Any determination that the complaint is not related to Joint Commission International requirements.
- If Joint Commission International has decided not to act regarding an organization’s accreditation/certification decision as a result of the complaint review, the complainant is to be so advised.
Joint Commission International’s Right to Clarify
When an organization disseminates inaccurate verbal or written inaccurate information regarding its accreditation/certification, Joint Commission International reserves the right to clarify misinformation, even if the information involved would otherwise be considered confidential.
Confidential Information
Joint Commission International maintains the confidentiality of the following information that is received or developed during the accreditation/certification process such as:
- The Final Survey Findings Report.
- Information learned from the organization before, during, or following the accreditation survey, which is used to determine compliance with specific accreditation standards.
- An organization’s comprehensive systematic analysis and related documents prepared in response to a sentinel event or in response to other circumstances specified by Joint Commission International.
- All other materials that may contribute to the accreditation/certification decision.
- Written staff analyses and JCI meeting minutes and agenda materials.
- The identity of any individual who files a complaint about an accredited organization and who has not provided written consent for disclosure.
This policy applies to all organizations with an accreditation and/or certification history, subject to any requirements of any applicable laws.