The Washington Post also wonders aloud about standards group JCAHO in a long piece which is also part of the series mentioned in story #2 above. The paper looks at the history and evolution of the organization, which over the past 40 years has risen from obscurity to become a powerful force in healthcare. The Post's conclusion: "The joint commission's practices raise questions about potential conflicts of interest and the rigor of its hospital surveys." A companion article examines the recent drop in inspections at surgery centers.
- see this story from The Washington Post