June 23, 2025
June 23, 2025
In recent years, healthcare has undergone rapid transformation, especially in how care is delivered, measured, and improved. One of the most significant players in ensuring quality healthcare delivery is The Joint Commission (TJC). This nonprofit organization accredits and certifies healthcare organizations and programs across the United States. TJC's role is essential in maintaining high safety and quality standards in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. The decision to add pharmacists to their survey teams is a timely and impactful change that can enhance patient safety, improve clinical outcomes, and promote more comprehensive care in healthcare facilities.
Before diving into the implications of this change, it's important to understand the role of The Joint Commission. Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission is the largest accrediting body in healthcare, and its primary function is to evaluate the quality of care provided by healthcare organizations. Its rigorous surveys cover various aspects of care, from clinical outcomes and patient safety to administrative practices and organizational culture. Accreditation by TJC is often considered a mark of excellence, signaling to patients, insurers, and regulators that a healthcare facility meets stringent national standards.
TJC survey teams are composed of professionals with expertise in different areas of healthcare. These surveyors review policies, procedures, and practices in hospitals and other healthcare settings to ensure compliance with the Commission's standards. Surveyors come from diverse backgrounds, such as nursing, medicine, management, and quality improvement. However, until recently, pharmacists have not been a part of these survey teams despite their integral role in healthcare delivery.
Having long been recognized as vital contributors to patient care, pharmacists manage medication therapy, ensure safe medication administration, provide counseling to patients, and collaborate with doctors and nurses to prevent adverse drug reactions or medication errors. However, their expertise in medication management, safety, and patient outcomes has not been fully utilized in the accreditation survey process—until now.
The decision to add pharmacists to TJC survey teams stems from the increasing recognition that medication-related issues are a leading cause of patient safety incidents and harm in healthcare settings. In fact, the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) has estimated that medication errors contribute to more than 7,000 deaths annually in the U.S. alone.
Adding pharmacists to survey teams will help address these concerns by ensuring that the medications prescribed and administered in healthcare settings are safe, effective, and properly managed. Pharmacists bring a unique set of skills that can enhance the overall survey process, particularly in the areas of medication management, patient safety, and clinical outcomes.
One of the most pressing issues in healthcare today is medication safety. According to The Joint Commission's data, medication errors are among the most common causes of sentinel events—unexpected occurrences involving death or serious injury—in healthcare settings. By adding pharmacists to survey teams, TJC can more thoroughly assess the systems and processes for medication management, identify potential risks, and recommend improvements to reduce errors.
Pharmacists are trained to evaluate the entire medication-use process—from prescribing and dispensing to administration and monitoring. They can identify potential drug interactions, improper dosages, or incorrect administration routes, which could lead to harm.
Pharmacists on survey teams will review medication safety protocols and evaluate the collaboration between pharmacists and other healthcare providers. Their expertise can ensure adequate integration of pharmacists into clinical teams and that their recommendations are considered during decision-making processes. This promotes a more holistic approach to patient care and helps prevent medication errors before they occur.
Clinical outcomes are an essential aspect of healthcare quality. Pharmacists are experts in pharmacology, with knowledge of how different medications affect the human body. This expertise allows them to make informed decisions about drug therapy, improving patient outcomes.
When pharmacists are part of TJC's survey teams, they help ensure that healthcare organizations follow evidence-based medication therapy practices. For example, pharmacists can assess whether the correct medications are prescribed for patients based on the latest clinical guidelines and research. They can also evaluate proper monitoring for potential side effects or medication complications.
Additionally, pharmacists assess how healthcare providers are educating patients. Patient education is vital in preventing medication errors and improving adherence. By adding pharmacists to survey teams, TJC can ensure that healthcare organizations meet high patient education and medication management standards, ultimately improving clinical outcomes across the board.
Another significant benefit of having pharmacists on survey teams is the opportunity to promote a culture of safety, quality, and compliance within healthcare organizations. Pharmacists are key players in advocating for patient safety and quality improvement initiatives. Their expertise makes them valuable contributors to quality improvement programs, such as reducing medication errors, improving drug stewardship, and enhancing patient education. Pharmacists also play pivotal roles in interpreting USP guidelines for medication compounding, handling, and storage.
When pharmacists are part of TJC's survey teams, they help assess how well healthcare organizations are fostering a culture of safety in relation to medication use. They can evaluate whether safety protocols are in place to prevent errors and whether there is a system for reporting and addressing adverse drug events. With the recent updates to USP<795>, <797>, and <800>, pharmacists on survey teams can ensure hospitals and other healthcare organizations are appropriately meeting the standard. Pharmacists can also assess whether there is an emphasis on continuous improvement to reduce preventable harm and improve the overall quality of care.
Adding pharmacists to The Joint Commission's survey teams is an important step forward in improving healthcare quality and safety. Pharmacists are integral members of the healthcare team, and their inclusion in accreditation surveys will help ensure that medication management practices are thoroughly evaluated and improved. By leveraging pharmacists' expertise, TJC can enhance medication safety, improve clinical outcomes, and promote a culture of safety, quality, and compliance within healthcare organizations. This change will ultimately lead to better patient care, reduced medication errors, and improved healthcare delivery nationwide.
As healthcare continues to evolve, adding pharmacists to TJC's survey teams underscores the growing recognition of the need for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to patient care. With pharmacists playing an active role in the survey process, healthcare organizations will be better equipped to meet the challenges of modern medicine and provide the highest standard of care to their patients.