Plus, How Sciens Can Help You Achieve Accreditation
If you’re a healthcare director, administrator, or facility manager, you’ve likely heard about Joint Commission accreditation. Since 1951, the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval has recognized excellent healthcare services and patient safety.
To become accredited by the Joint Commission, multiple factors are evaluated, including your facility’s care planning, handoff communication, infection prevention, and leadership accountability. However, did you know that fire and life safety are also crucial components of Joint Commission accreditation?
If you’re unsure if your fire and life safety system is up to par, let’s look deeper at the Joint Commission standards and how a local fire and life safety provider can make the accreditation process smoother for you.
What Is the Joint Commission?
The Joint Commission is an independent, nationally recognized accrediting organization for hospitals, healthcare systems, and nursing homes. Its role is to evaluate and confirm that facilities meet rigorous standards for life safety, environment of care, patient safety, and operational readiness.
To become accredited, trained Joint Commission surveyors conduct a thorough on-site survey of your organization. Joint Commission surveys are typically unannounced, so your facility must be ready for a surprise inspection.
Why Accreditation Matters
With Joint Commission accreditation, patients, staff, and visitors can trust that your facility will provide them with safe and supportive care. Accredited facilities offer the peace of mind that critical systems function correctly during emergencies and will continue to operate uninterrupted. Should surveyors identify any deficiencies in your systems, you’ll be expected to address them promptly to bring your facility up to standard.
Furthermore, Joint Commission accreditation is necessary to participate in and receive federal payment for Medicare/Medicaid programs. JC is also recognized by insurers and may be a prerequisite for reimbursements and managed care plans in certain markets.
How the Joint Commission Evaluates Life Safety Systems
Beyond patient care standards, the Joint Commission will also evaluate your facility’s emergency management and life safety systems. This includes:
- Fire alarms
- Sprinkler systems
- Emergency notification systems
- CO/NO sensors
- Fire doors
- Fire dampers
- Kitchen hood system interfaces
- Power supplies
- Building and fire codes
- Equipment maintenance programs
Sciens installs, tests, and maintains these solutions nationwide and is here to help you become Joint Commission-certified.
How Often Is Testing Required for Accreditation?
Accreditation cycles are continuous, and you can expect an unannounced survey within 36 months of your last survey. Most Joint Commission-accredited organizations undergo a full-site accreditation survey about every three years, while clinical laboratories are evaluated every two years.
This doesn’t mean you need every facet of your facility tested at once. You have a twelve-month period to complete all necessary surveys. Depending on your local jurisdiction, more frequent testing may be required, including quarterly waterflow testing in some regions.bSciens is here to help you meet testing requirements for your specific state or county.
How Sciens Supports Healthcare Facilities
To ensure you pass your accreditation survey, Sciens provides reliable, accurate inspections and service for fire and life safety systems. We offer clear reporting aligned with what surveyors expect, including organized, printed documentation when needed.
We aren’t merely a service delivery or one-off contractor. We’re here for you this year, next year, and the year after that with ongoing support. Should we notice any flaws in your system, we’ll provide necessary upgrades or maintenance. We won’t suggest unnecessary add-ons; only what your business needs to pass accreditation testing.
When To Seek a New Provider
If you’ve experienced survey deficiencies in the past or are unhappy with your current provider’s communication structure, you don’t have to stick with the same fire and life safety company. Sciens brings consistency, organization, and a proactive approach to the inspection and reporting processes. Switching is easy – reach out to a local Sciens office near you.
Talk to Sciens About Your Next Inspection
Ensure your fire and life safety systems are inspection-ready with Sciens. Our recurring service and testing programs are organized, transparent, and meticulously aligned with NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) codes and Joint Commission reporting requirements. Our partnership-driven approach helps prepare your facility for inspections seamlessly—without added stress on your team. Let us handle fire and life safety, allowing you to remain focused on what matters most: keeping patients safe, healthy, and supported.
Contact Sciens here for a complimentary consultation and become a Sciens partner today.
