Formerly Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). Established in 1951 as Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals (JCAH). It is a not-for-profit accrediting body for clinics, hospitals, and other federal and military facilities. The Joint Commission reviews the policies, patient records, credentialing procedures, and quality assurance programs of the facility. When the Joint Commission awards official approval, it means the quality and high standards of the facility have been met after their scrutiny. This is the goal of every facility that goes through the process about every 3 years.