July 11, 2008) The Joint Commission and the Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA) have partnered to provide quality oversight for urgent care clinics, which provide walk-in treatment for many injuries, illnesses and conditions ranging from minor sore throats to head injuries.
Both organizations currently provide accreditation for urgent care clinics, but in the new alliance the UCAOA will discontinue its accreditation program and focus its support on services available under The Joint Commission’s ambulatory care accreditation program. The collaboration will include development of quality standards specific to urgent care, targeted for introduction in 2010.
“Joint Commission accreditation encompasses an on site evaluation of an urgent care center’s compliance with rigorous national standards,” said Charles A. Mowll, executive vice president, The Joint Commission. “Achieving Joint Commission accreditation helps the urgent care center improve and provide the public with a marker of quality.”
The Joint Commission has been accrediting ambulatory organizations, including those providing urgent care, since 1975. The Urgent Care Association of America represents urgent care sites across the country and earlier this year joined The Joint Commission’s Ambulatory Professional and Technical Advisory Committee to provide input on standards and other issues.
For more information: www.jointcommission.org