5 things healthcare leaders should know about The Joint Commission’s Accreditation 360

In today's complex healthcare environment, maintaining compliance while driving operational excellence is more than a regulatory obligation—it's a strategic imperative. As healthcare facilities face increasing pressure to deliver exceptional patient care with limited resources, The Joint Commission's reorganization of its accreditation manual presents both a significant shift and an opportunity for forward-thinking leaders.

The following are five key things healthcare leaders should know:

1. This is a complete structural reorganization

The Joint Commission's changes represent a structural reorganization intended to simplify compliance obligations—it’s not necessarily a reduction in compliance obligations. All existing requirements remain intact but are now grouped under broader, more streamlined categories. The new standard, named Accreditation 360, aims to streamline processes while maintaining essential safety standards.

2. A major documentation overhaul is required for paper-based systems

For facilities using manual, binder-based compliance systems, this transition mandates a complete remapping of compliance documentation and survey readiness processes. This is not a simple re-tabbing exercise—it's a comprehensive reorganization requiring significant time and resources. Organizations with surveys scheduled for Q1 2026 should prioritize transition planning sooner rather than later.

3. Digital solutions provide seamless transition path

JLL's ATG Compliance Manager is already aligned with the new framework and will support both old and new standards in parallel during the transition period. Our digital solutions automatically align with the new structure, eliminating the need for manual reorganization of compliance materials and reducing administrative burden.

4. Expert guidance is available through the transition

JLL offers a team of healthcare subject matter experts providing consulting, education and digital tools already aligned with the new standards. We can help you digitize, simplify, and stay survey-ready. Our tools integrate NFPA, OSHA, and other regulatory codes as unique identifiers—ensuring accuracy and depth beyond surface-level compliance.

5. Timeline considerations are critical

Organizations should develop a transition timeline accounting for their specific survey windows, particularly for early 2026 surveys. Our team can help you prioritize transitions based on these survey windows, ensuring your organization remains survey-ready throughout the change. Planning should begin well before the January 2026 deadline to prevent last-minute compliance challenges.

Turning regulatory requirements into strategic advantages

This pivotal reorganization offers more than just a new regulatory framework—it presents an opportunity to transform your approach to compliance management. Forward-thinking healthcare leaders will leverage this transition to modernize systems, streamline processes and ultimately create more resilient, efficient healthcare environments.

By embracing digital innovation and expert partnership, healthcare facilities can implement always-on compliance monitoring that replaces periodic preparation cycles with continuous readiness. Organizations that adopt this model not only maintain accreditation readiness but also unlock new operational efficiencies that enhance the overall patient care environment. The organizations that thrive through this transition will be those that view compliance not as a checkbox exercise, but as an integral part of their operational excellence strategy—creating safer, more efficient healthcare facilities for providers, staff and the patients they serve.

Get in touch with one of our experts >