What Are the Joint Commission’s Credentialing Standards and How Does It Apply to Chiropractic?

The Joint Commission is an independent, non-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations and programs in the United States. The Joint Commission has established credentialing standards for healthcare providers, including chiropractors, who provide patient care within accredited healthcare organizations. These standards are designed to ensure that healthcare providers meet certain requirements for education, training, licensure, and competence and that they are able to provide safe and effective care to patients.The Joint Commission’s credentialing standards require healthcare organizations to:

1. Verify the qualifications and credentials of healthcare providers, including chiropractors, prior to granting clinical privileges.
2. Establish and maintain a process for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of healthcare providers’ competence and performance.
3. Ensure that healthcare providers receive ongoing education and training to maintain and enhance their competence and skills.
4. Document and maintain accurate and complete records of healthcare providers’ credentials, qualifications, and performance.

Specifically, for chiropractors, the Joint Commission’s credentialing standards require that healthcare organizations verify the chiropractor’s licensure, education, training, and certification, as appropriate. The organization must also assess the chiropractor’s competence to perform specific procedures or provide specific types of care, such as spinal manipulation, and grant clinical privileges accordingly. The organization must also monitor and evaluate the chiropractor’s performance and competence on an ongoing basis and ensure that the chiropractor receives appropriate continuing education and training.In summary, the Joint Commission’s credentialing standards apply to chiropractors by requiring healthcare organizations to verify and evaluate their qualifications, competence, and performance before granting clinical privileges. These standards are designed to ensure that chiropractors and other healthcare providers are able to provide safe and effective care to patients within the context of an accredited healthcare organization.