Integrating performance measure data into the joint commission accreditation process

This article describes the Joint Commission's implementation plans, experie nce and results to date of incorporating performance measurement data into the accreditation process. These plans have evolved in response to changes in the health care environment feed-back from accredited organizations, and both technical and political obstacles encountered During the late 1980s, the Joint Commission developed a national performance measurement system, t he IMSystem, to incorporate information about the process and outcomes of c are into the accreditation process. in 1995, the ORYX initiative was introd uced to offer health care organizations significant flexibility in selectin g a measurement system and measures while promoting organizational self-imp rovement and accountability. Recently, the plans have evolved to incorporat e standardized core measures that are known to be valid and reliable. These initiatives have moved the field much closer to the day when quality asses sment will reflect a comprehensive view of organizational performance, base d, in part, on performance measurement data. (C) 1999 Sage Publications, In c.