A Template for Spiritual Assessment: A Review of the JCAHO Requirements and Guidelines for Implementation (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations)

Growing consensus exists that spiritual assessment is an important aspect of holistic service provision (Gilbert, 2000). Studies have repeatedly found that most practitioners affirm the importance of spiritual assessment (Canda & Furman, 1999; Carlson, Kirkpatrick, Hecker, & Killmer, 2002; Prest, Russel, & D'Souza, 1999; Sheridan & Amato-von Hemert, 1999). For instance, among a national sample of National Association of Social Workers (NASW) members engaged in direct practice (N = 2,069), approximately 60 percent agreed that an exploration of spirituality and religion should be part of the intake or assessment process (Canda & Furman). Furthermore, social workers are increasingly being called on to conduct spiritual assessments. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO, 2004a) is the largest and most influential health care accrediting body in the United States. In keeping with the large number of social workers employed in JCAHO-accredited settings, NASW (2004) maintains an ongoing partnership with JCAHO. In addition to accrediting most of the nation's hospitals, JCAHO also accredits thousands of other organizations and programs providing health and mental health services.