Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) has become the first health system in the United States to earn The Joint Commission's Responsible Use of AI in Healthcare Certification, the network announced. The certification signals that the organization has put formal guardrails around its use of artificial intelligence in clinical and operational settings.
The certification, developed in partnership with the Coalition for Health AI, evaluates health systems on six core domains: governance and oversight, privacy protections, risk and bias management, performance monitoring, patient transparency, and staff training. HMH met standards across all areas to secure the designation.
How HMH built its AI governance framework
The health network created a formal AI governance structure that combines data security protocols with ongoing monitoring of AI tools. Staff receive role-specific AI training, and the network requires general AI literacy for all providers so they can explain to patients how these tools support care decisions.
Internal evaluations track AI tool performance over time. The structure is designed to catch failures or drift before they affect patient care.
The Joint Commission scored these areas
Auditors examined how HMH processes to identify, assess, and reduce risk in AI tools; how it monitors tools for safe and effective performance; and how it educates patients about AI's role in their treatment. The privacy and security standards required the network to show safeguards that protect healthcare data.
Ken Grubbs, chief nursing executive and executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations with The Joint Commission, said in a statement: "Organizations must ensure the use of AI is guided by strong governance, rigorous oversight, and an unwavering focus on patient safety." He added, "Joint Commission commends HMH for demonstrating a responsible approach to AI adoption while advancing innovation in patient care."
Why this matters for healthcare professionals
If you work in a hospital or health system, this certification tells you that measurement standards for AI safety now exist and that auditors will apply them. Healthcare professionals who understand formal AI for Healthcare governance mechanics, especially in areas like bias detection and risk monitoring, will be better positioned to pass similar audit frameworks when their own employers seek certification. Professionals in billing and administration can explore the AI Learning Path for Medical Billers to align with the same privacy and performance standards these certifications enforce.
Your membership also unlocks:
