American Health Information Management Association. Position Statement. Issue: the Joint Commission's unannounced surveys.
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) has begun conducting unannounced surveys of a random sample of accredited organizations in the mid-point of their accreditation cycles. These surveys focus on problem areas identified by accreditation surveys conducted the previous year. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) firmly supports this change in Joint Commission accreditation procedures and believes the result will benefit patients and providers alike. Unannounced surveys by the Joint Commission, state departments of health, and others give providers an opportunity to validate their ongoing commitment to quality care. HIM professionals, who are committed to the ongoing provision of optimal patient care, should take the lead in supporting this concept and actively promoting its value to their colleagues and their communities.
D000068:Accreditation / Q000592:standards*; D007591:Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; D008499:Medical Records; D016134:Organizational Policy; D012952:Societies; D014481:United States