Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission is an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies more than 19,000 health-care organizations and programs in the United States. It is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. It seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health-care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value.