In advance of launching its Health Care Equity Certification on July 1, The Joint Commission rolled out an online resource center to assist healthcare systems in earning the certification.
Organizations that earn the new Health Care Equity Certification will be recognized as a healthcare facility dedicated to providing safer, more equitable care.
The Health Care Equity Certification Resource Center provides access to templates, guides and tools, organized by topic areas including leadership, collaboration, data collection, provision of care and performance improvement. Healthcare organizations can use these tools to ensure they meet the program's elements of performance and standards when they apply for the certification.
"While systemic inequalities exist within the quality and safety of health care, there is a path forward," according to a May 3 Joint Commission statement, noting it "looks forward to working with organizations and other stakeholders to share best practices and identify innovative ways to achieve health care equity."