Research

The Research Department’s team of doctoral- and masters-level researchers regularly work with accredited organizations, external research groups and government agencies (including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) to advance health care quality across a broad range of topics. Research methods include quantitative and qualitative strategies to study the impact and value of accreditation, certification and other Joint Commission quality and safety initiatives. Recent research efforts have focused on infection control practices, suicide prevention, access to stroke care and evaluating the impact of a wide range of quality measurement and improvement initiatives.

Research activities are organized into three primary research functions.

In addition to conducting independent research, the Research Department also maintains a database of peer-reviewed research articles and other publications that address the value and impact of accreditation and certification. The database is updated annually, and it contains summaries of hundreds of studies that address various aspects of accreditation and certification along a wide number of dimensions, programs and settings. The database is open to the public and can be accessed below.