Joint Commission

My new job heavily involves being ready to pass accreditation of various approval bodies. The major one is The Joint Commission which used to be called JCAHO. I am recovering from their visit last week. I spent most of my days shadowing one of the surveyors and writing down my observations and whatever questions he asked so we may make sure we cover everything in which they are focusing. I would come in every morning by 0700 and leave around 5-6 P.M. From the inside, we thought we would not pass because we know what issues which still need work. The surveyors from the outside were so overwhelmingly impressed with the fine institution I have called home since 1989, that they did not really ask the hard questions we ask of ourselves. They called us a "first class academic institution which clearly cares about patient safety". I have always been very proud of where I work and what I do, but I was doubly proud to hear how great we are from outside inspectors.