Which entity typically measures the quality of healthcare services delivered in hospitals?

The Joint Commission is the entity that typically measures the quality of healthcare services delivered in hospitals. It is an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates and accredits healthcare organizations and programs in the United States. The Joint Commission develops standards for quality healthcare and conducts rigorous evaluations to ensure that hospitals meet these standards. This process involves on-site surveys where hospitals are assessed in various domains, including patient care, safety, and organizational integrity, thus ensuring that healthcare services are delivered at a high standard.

While other entities such as CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), state governments, and private insurers also play roles in monitoring healthcare quality, they do so in different capacities. For instance, CMS establishes quality measures for hospitals and can influence care through reimbursement policies, but it does not perform accreditation itself. State governments regulate healthcare facilities and may have their quality assessment initiatives, yet they often rely on accreditation bodies like The Joint Commission for standards. Private insurers may track quality indicators to manage costs and improve services but are not the primary entity responsible for universal quality measurement.