Proactive Roles for Librarians in the JCAHO Accreditation Process

Abstract

The roles for librarians in Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) accredited institutions have changed significantly in the last ten years. These changes reflect critical changes in (1) the business of health care, (2) the interests of patients and their families in real-time information, (3) the library services and information industries, and (4) performance improvement measurement techniques. How do librarians and others within their institutions perceive these roles and what actions are taken as a result? What are librarians doing to ensure their continued role in the JCAHO process? How do librarians educate themselves and others on JCAHO issues? The Medical Library Association (MLA) is currently involved with JCAHO through membership in the Liaison Network as well as other mechanisms. This article will review the history of the librarian's role in JCAHO since 1991, attempt to answer the questions posed above, and provide an update from the 2000 Liaison Network meeting.

Key Words:

• Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
• hospital libraries
• librarians

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Debra C. Rand

Debra C. Rand, MSLS, a distinguished member of AHIP, has been Health Sciences Library Director at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in NY since 1987. She served as the MLA Member Representative to the JCAHO from 1998-2000.

Jeannine Cyr Gluck

Jeannine Cyr Gluck, MLS, a senior member of AHIP, has been Director of the Medical Library at Eastern Connecticut Health Network since 1986. She is the new MLA Member Representative to the JCAHO as of May 2000 and the current Chair of the Standards Committee of the Hospital Libraries Section of MLA.