How does the Joint Commission assess compliance during surveys?

The Joint Commission assesses compliance during surveys primarily by reviewing documentation and observing practices. This approach provides a comprehensive evaluation of how well healthcare organizations adhere to established standards. By examining records, procedures, and operational practices, the surveyors can identify if the organization meets the required performance criteria.

Additionally, observation allows surveyors to see firsthand how staff members implement policies and procedures in real-time, ensuring that practices align with the documented standards of care. This dual assessment method helps ensure that both the paperwork and the actual performance reflect a commitment to quality and safety in patient care.

While other methods, such as interviews with patients or staff surveys, may provide useful insights, they do not offer the same level of thoroughness in assessing compliance as reviewing documentation and observing practices. Thus, the combination of these two methods is essential for a complete assessment during Joint Commission surveys.