Hospital Accreditation: Joint Commission vs DNV vs HFAP
Hospital accreditation is a process through which healthcare organizations are evaluated against established standards. Accreditation provides patients with assurance that a hospital meets recognized quality and safety standards. This guide explains the major accrediting bodies and what their seal of approval means.
What Is Hospital Accreditation?
Accreditation is a voluntary process (though it has regulatory implications) in which an independent organization evaluates a hospital's compliance with established healthcare quality and safety standards. Accreditation typically involves:
- Comprehensive self-assessment by the hospital
- On-site survey by trained evaluators
- Review of policies, procedures, and patient care practices
- Ongoing monitoring and periodic resurveys
Major Accrediting Organizations
The Joint Commission (TJC)
- Founded: 1951 — the oldest and most widely recognized accrediting body
- Hospitals accredited: Approximately 3,600+ (the majority of U.S. hospitals)
- Survey cycle: Unannounced surveys approximately every 3 years
- Focus: Comprehensive standards covering patient safety, quality improvement, infection control, medication management, and more
- CMS recognition: Joint Commission accreditation gives hospitals "deemed status" — considered to meet Medicare and Medicaid conditions of participation
DNV (Det Norske Veritas) Healthcare
- CMS-approved since: 2008
- Hospitals accredited: Approximately 500+
- Survey cycle: Annual surveys (more frequent than TJC)
- Unique approach: Integrates ISO 9001 quality management system standards with Medicare requirements
- Focus: Continuous quality improvement through systematic management processes
HFAP (Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program)
- Founded: 1945 by the American Osteopathic Association
- Note: HFAP was acquired by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) in 2020
- Focus: Originally served osteopathic hospitals; now accredits various facility types
- Survey cycle: Every 3 years
What Accreditation Means for Patients
- Quality standards: Accredited hospitals must meet hundreds of quality and safety standards
- Medicare participation: Accreditation with deemed status demonstrates compliance with federal requirements
- Accountability: Hospitals must demonstrate ongoing compliance, not just point-in-time performance
- Transparency: Accreditation status is publicly available
Limitations of Accreditation
- Accreditation is a baseline standard, not a ranking of excellence
- Nearly all hospitals are accredited, so it doesn't differentiate top performers
- Survey results are a snapshot and may not reflect day-to-day operations
- Accreditation focuses on processes and systems, not individual patient outcomes
Checking Accreditation Status
You can verify a hospital's accreditation status through the accrediting organization's website or by checking hospital information on Medicare Care Compare.
Data sourced from CMS, The Joint Commission, and DNV Healthcare. Visit Medicare Care Compare or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Important
This article explains how hospital quality data works and is for general information only. It is not medical advice and must not be used to decide whether to seek, delay or refuse care — that is a decision for you and a clinician who knows your situation.
CMS quality measures describe care delivered during earlier reporting periods and are refreshed roughly quarterly. A hospital's staffing, services and performance can change well before the published numbers do.
hospiguide.org is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to CMS, Medicare, or any U.S. government agency, and publishes no ratings of its own.
Before acting on anything here, verify current details at Medicare.gov Care Compare or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048.
HospiGuide.org Editorial Team
Our editorial team explains U.S. hospital quality data using official CMS datasets and government publications. We are not medical professionals, we do not recommend hospitals, and we accept no payment for coverage. Every factual claim is checked against a CMS or federal source. Read our editorial policy.
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