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Overview

Joint Commission International first published laboratory accreditation standards in 2003. Since then, JCI continuously evolved to keep current with laboratory industry trends to address the needs of increasing number of JCI-accredited facilities. JCI frequently revises its laboratory accreditation standards and conducts global assessment to identify new regulations and widely-accepted practices. A key principle in developing the standards and accreditation process is to anchor the information on expert knowledge, feedback from customers, recent scientific evidence, and best practice recommendations. To address varying needs of different laboratory settings and local regulations, JCI offers two unique laboratory accreditation programs:
  • Accreditation based on Joint Commission International Accreditation Standards for Laboratories, 4th Edition
  • Accreditation based on ISO 15189:2022 Medical laboratories — Requirements for quality and competence

Why JCI for Laboratory Accreditation?

While regulatory requirements provide the basic need for accreditation, JCI’s evidence-based Laboratory accreditation and survey process take a holistic approach that focuses on a patient-centric experience and provide requirements to address continuous patient safety and quality improvement. Both laboratory accreditation programs are developed and vetted in conjunction with scientific field experts in a variety of laboratory specialties, including pathologists. Both programs include requirements for accreditation participation, international patient safety goals, infection control, and specific quality control processes for different laboratory specialties and subspecialties. 

Expertise You Can Depend On

We understand the critical role laboratory services play in the overall patient experience — both inpatient and outpatient. JCI’s accreditation process concentrates on operational systems critical to the safety and quality of patient care. A key component of our customer’s positive experience relies on a consistent survey process executed by expert laboratory surveyors, with experience in a variety of laboratory specialties. JCI surveyors review the entire scope of the laboratory testing process to help identify risk and provide guidance on best practices.

Enabling Better Decisions with Unparalleled Tools

We support you with a robust, patient-centric survey which is anchored to data and measurability:

  • The SAFER™ Matrix identifies and helps prioritize performance improvement efforts on areas with the highest risk of potential adverse outcomes.
  • JCI’s unique tracer methodology reviews the entire testing process and how the laboratory interacts with other areas to deliver care to the patient, helping to mitigate risks before they can become costly problems.

 

  • Microbiology services
  • Clinical chemistry services
  • Hematology services
  • Blood testing and transfusion services
  • Cytogenetics
  • Immunology and serology
  • Histopathology
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Anatomic Pathology
  • Point of Care Testing
  • Coagulation
  • Parasitology
  • Virology
  • Urinalysis
  • Radiobioassay
  • Blood Donor and Transfusion Services
  • Histocompatibility
  • Molecular Methods
  • Andrology
  • Embryology

Alignment with Hospitals

Due to our unique position as an accreditor across a variety of settings, our customers can benefit from the alignment of standards between laboratories and hospitals, specifically when an accredited hospital has a laboratory on the premises or within the enterprise. Working with JCI for both hospital and laboratory accreditation reduces the time the entire organization or enterprise spends on managing accreditation activities. Our Laboratory Accreditation Program complements the JCI Hospital Accreditation program and offers a separate distinction so patients can be confident that both facilities provide the same level of care.

JCI Laboratory Accreditation Programs

JCI Laboratory accreditation program takes a holistic and patient-centric approach that evaluates clinical and operational practices. JCI laboratory standards focus on a number of clinical areas as well as operational discipline. For example, clinical areas include Microbiology services, Clinical chemistry services, Hematology services, Immunology and serology, Histopathology, and Immunohistochemistry to name a few.

IEEA Recognition

International Society for Quality in Health Care External Evaluation Association (IEEA) logoJCI's Accreditation Standards for Laboratories, 4th Edition is accredited by the International Society for Quality in Health Care External Evaluation Association (IEEA). The IEEA provides third-party external evaluation services to health and social care external evaluation organizations and standards developing bodies around the globe. IEEA accreditation provides assurance that the standards used by JCI meet the highest international benchmarks for accrediting bodies.


DHA Approved

Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has officially recognized JCI as an approved clinical laboratory accrediting body in United Arab Emirates as seen in their DHA Circular - Update of Clinical Laboratory Accreditation Policy, dated 30 March 2023.

 

Based on customers and market demand, JCI has designed this new accreditation program. JCI’s evidence-based Laboratory standards, ISO 15189:2022 requirements, and JCI survey process, when combined, provide a rigorous and comprehensive approach that focuses on a patient-centric experience and provide requirements to address patient safety and laboratory’s continuous quality improvement.

DHA Approved

With Dubai Health Authority (DHA)’s official recognition of JCI as an approved clinical laboratory accrediting body, JCI’s ISO 15189 accreditation program offers an added value of evaluation against JCI standards and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 15189:2022.

What to Expect - Accreditation Process

JCI Laboratory Accreditation process is flexible and designed to meet your laboratory’s unique needs. Highlights include:
  • Trusted resources and expert help with interpreting standards and preparing for the accreditation process.
  • Objective assessment from a JCI expert team that evaluates your organization against globally-recognized and evidence based standards and survey process guidelines.
  • Flexible scheduling that coordinates survey timing, geographical considerations, survey delivery method (remote, hybrid, on-site). For example, JCI laboratory accreditation survey may be scheduled at the same time as the hospital accreditation survey.
  • Consistent level of knowledge from JCI expert surveyors that focuses on collaboration, a solution-driven mindset, and local considerations for clinical and operational practices.
  • Final Survey Findings Report with JCI SAFER Matrix results that will provide data-driven insights to identify potential risks and their severity, which can be prioritized to drive continuous improvements.

Featured Resources

JCI Accreditation Standards for Laboratories, 4th Edition

Laboratories can prepare for Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation with the 4th edition laboratory standards manual.

Learn more about the 4th edition standards
Joint Commission International Gold Seal
Interested in applying for accreditation?
Person on screen with a play button iconWebinar replay: JCI Lab Quality Improvement Program - ISO 15189:2022 Lab Accreditation