The Joint Commission recently posted some frequently asked questions (FAQ) online to revise its accreditation decision process for organizations undergoing initial surveys. As a result, only two outcomes are possible: accredited or denial of accreditation.

According to the FAQs, an organization can withdraw from the accreditation process up until the time it submits an evidence of standards compliance (ESC), either during the survey or afterward. After the ESC is submitted, the organization will receive a decision of Denial of Accreditation. If an immediate threat to health or safety is declared during an initial survey, the organization will receive a Denial of Accreditation decision with no chance for appeal. And an organization must wait a minimum of four months before reapplying after withdrawing from the initial survey or receiving a Denial of Accreditation decision.

Read the Joint Commission post for more information.