The certification provides a framework for specific service lines and does not require prior organizational accreditation.
Joint Commission International announced a Center of Excellence Certification, a program designed to provide an independently validated framework to define and recognize clinical service-line excellence on a global scale. Achieving this certification signals that an organization has expertise in providing specialized, high-quality, and safe care, according to the organization.
At launch, the certification is available for five clinical service lines: pediatrics, oncology, trauma, orthopedics, and maternal-perinatal care. Joint Commission International plans to expand the certification portfolio to include additional clinical specialties as regional and national programs grow and individual organization needs evolve.
“The term ‘Center of Excellence’ is widely used in healthcare, but often without a consistent or objective basis for how it is defined or evaluated,” says Jonathan Perlin, MD, PhD, CEO of Joint Commission, in a release. He adds that the new certification fills that gap by providing a transparent and internationally recognized approach for healthcare organizations to define and measure clinical excellence.
A specific aspect of the program is that it does not require Joint Commission International accreditation as a prerequisite. This flexibility allows organizations that are not yet accredited to demonstrate their commitment to excellence at the service-line level, starting in areas where they already have strength. For organizations that are already accredited, the certification represents a higher level of recognition for performance within a clinical specialty.
“Our COE program shows patients, their loved ones, health authorities, and other stakeholders that these organizations chose to commit, invest, and be held accountable for excellence. It’s a step above – it’s about signaling both capability and commitment,” says Jim Merlino, MD, executive vice president and coo, in a release.
The program is designed to reinforce key capabilities aligned with accreditation, such as standardized performance measures and structured processes for care delivery, while applying them in a focused, service-line context. For international health authorities, the certification provides a standardized framework that helps validate excellence in specific clinical areas and is intended to complement existing national programs.
The framework integrates evidence-informed standards, internationally recognized clinical practice guidelines, and standardized measurement. The certification is not a one-time achievement; participating organizations are expected to demonstrate sustained performance and ongoing improvement during annual performance reviews.
Healthcare organizations that provide acute patient care outside of the US are currently eligible to apply for the certification.
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