The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations will conduct an accreditation survey of Harvard University Health Services on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4, 1998.

The purpose of the survey will be to evaluate the organization's compliance with nationally established Joint Commission Standards. The survey results will be used to determine whether, and the conditions under which, accreditation should be awarded the organization.

Joint Commission standards deal with organizational quality of care issues and the safety of the environment in which care is provided. Anyone believing that he or she has pertinent and valid information about such matters may request a public information interview with the Joint Commission's field representatives at the time of the survey. Information presented at the interview will be carefully evaluated for relevance to the accreditation process. Requests for a public information interview must be made in writing and should be sent to the Joint Commission no later than five working days before the survey begins. The request must also indicate the nature of the information to be provided at the interview. Such requests should be addressed to:

Division of Accreditation Operations

Accreditation Service Specialist

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations

One Renaissance Boulevard

Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

The Joint Commission will acknowledge such requests in writing or by telephone and will inform the organization of the request for any interview. The organization will, in turn, notify the interviewee of the date, time, and place of the meeting.