The Joint Commission established a comprehensive set of rules for publicity efforts by accredited and certified organizations.
Here's what you need to know.
1. Organizations must clearly specify which sites and services are accredited and/or certified by The Joint Commission.
2. Organizations shouldn't state accreditation and/or certification endorses, proves, assures or testifies an organization's quality of care.
3. Written approval from The Joint Commission's Department of Corporate Marketing is needed in order to claim an organization or program is the "first" in a geographic area to receive accreditation or certification.
4. Organizations aren't permitted to use The Joint Commission's corporate logo. The Gold Seal of Approval, which is available for download, can be used by authorized The Joint Commission-accredited and certified organizations.
5. The Joint Commission doesn't permit the use of verbal or written quotes from its reviewers, but organizations can give general information about the on-site review process, such as the length and scope of review.
6. Twenty-one sample news releases, including one for organizations awarded advanced certification for total hip and total knee replacement, are available on The Joint Commission's website.