Final answer:
The agency responsible for assuring quality care by hospitals is the Joint Commission, an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits healthcare organizations to ensure they meet specific standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
The agency responsible for assuring quality care by hospitals is the Joint Commission. This is an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations in the United States. By providing accreditation, the Joint Commission signifies that a hospital or healthcare provider meets certain performance standards aimed at improving the quality of patient care. It conducts periodic on-site surveys and assesses healthcare organizations based on established standards for patient care and organization management.
In contrast, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a major operational component of the Department of Health and Human Services and focuses on public health. Although it plays a significant role in monitoring and preventing the spread of diseases, it does not accredit hospitals. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is concerned with workplace safety, including healthcare settings, but does not accredit hospitals either. The College of American Pathologists is a medical society that also does not accredit hospitals, but rather provides laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing.
Thus, the correct answer is: a. Joint Commission.