What type of organization is The Joint Commission?

The Joint Commission is a not-for-profit organization that plays a crucial role in the accreditation of healthcare organizations in the United States. Its primary objective is to enhance healthcare safety and quality through comprehensive evaluation processes and standards. By being a not-for-profit entity, The Joint Commission focuses on serving the public interest, emphasizing improvement in healthcare delivery rather than generating profit.

This distinguishes it from for-profit organizations, which primarily prioritize financial gain. Unlike a government agency, The Joint Commission operates independently and is not a branch of the government, although it collaborates with governmental bodies. Furthermore, it is not an academic institution; its primary function is not education or research but rather the quality accreditation and assessment of healthcare services.