The Joint Commission outlined three aspects of the unannounced survey process on their Daily Update blog, including the exceptions in place for ASCs
Here are their insights:
1. Ambulatory care settings such as office-based surgery practices, ASCs not using accreditation for deemed status, surgery/anesthesia centers with fewer than 5,000 annual visits or fewer than three licensed practitioners, diagnostic/therapeutic centers with fewer than 3,000 visits or four or fewer licensed independent practitioners get seven days of notice for surveys.
2. Other examples of announced surveys include:
- The first survey conducted by The Joint Commission of an organization.
- Focused standards assessment options two and three surveys.
- The first survey conducted under the early survey policy.
3. Unless it's not logical or feasible, The Joint Commission conducts unannounced surveys.
More articles on accreditation:
U.S. Dermatology's Kansas City Shoal Creek Office receives AAAHC accreditation
5 key facts about The Joint Commission's accreditation and certification decisions
4 facts about ambulatory care accreditation from The Joint Commission