Which statement best describes the role of the Joint Commission?

• A. CMS oversees reimbursement for services.
• B. OSHA enforces workplace safety standards.
• C. HIPAA governs patient privacy.
• D. The Joint Commission accredits hospitals and conducts surveys for quality and safety.

Answer: (D)

The Joint Commission’s role is to evaluate and help improve safety and quality in healthcare organizations through accreditation and on-site surveys. This means it sets standards, assesses hospitals and other provider programs against those standards, and conducts surveys to verify compliance. That’s why describing it as accrediting hospitals and conducting surveys for quality and safety captures its function best.

The other options describe different organizations or rules: CMS handles reimbursement and payment for services, not accreditation; OSHA enforces workplace safety standards in general; and HIPAA governs patient privacy and protection of health information, not accreditation activities.