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The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations and programs in the United States. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory care facilities, and other types of healthcare organizations. It sets standards for these organizations to follow, and it performs on-site surveys to assess whether they are meeting these standards. The Joint Commission is recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as a national accrediting organization, and it is also approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Accreditation by the Joint Commission is seen as a symbol of quality in the healthcare industry.