Skip to main content icon/video/no-internet
icon backReturn to Entries

Accreditation

Accreditation is a voluntary process through which healthcare institutions and programs are held accountable for meeting quality requirements or standards. Accreditation involves a rigorous evaluation carried out by an external independent accrediting organization. When healthcare institutions and programs gain accreditation, such accreditation can be viewed as an endorsement resulting from having met the identified requirements. While accreditation is voluntary, it may be required or accepted in lieu of other requirements to be deemed eligible for participation in government healthcare plans and funding. For example, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires that companies participating in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage have approved accreditation.

History

The accreditation of healthcare institutions originated in the United States in the early 20th century. In 1917, the American College of Surgeons set up a program of standards to define suitable hospitals for surgical training. This eventually developed into a multidisciplinary program of standardization, which in 1951 led to the establishment of the independent Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation. Over time, that organization, which today is the Joint Commission, has greatly expanded its focus, and it now accredits 10 types of institutions and programs, including the following: ambulatory care; assisted living; behavioral healthcare; critical access hospitals; home care; hospitals; laboratory services; long-term care; networks; and office-based surgery.

Although the Joint Commission is the largest healthcare accrediting body in the nation, many other accrediting organizations have been established that accredit many types of healthcare institutions and programs. For example, the American Osteopathic Association's Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) accredits acute-care hospitals and hospital laboratories; the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) accredits health plans, managed behavioral-healthcare organizations, managed-care organization, preferred provider organizations, and disease management programs; and URAC (formerly known as the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission) accredits many institutions and programs, including case management, claims processing, disease management, drug therapy mana ge ment, and pharmacy benefit management. Most accreditation organizations are nonprofit tax-exempt organizations.

The past several decades have also witnessed the establishment of many healthcare accreditation organizations across the world. The number of such organizations has doubled every 5 years since 1990. For example, there are now 11 healthcare accreditation organizations in various European nations. The Joint Commission has also established an international division (Joint Commission International) to accredit institutions and programs outside the United States.

Accreditation Process

The accreditation process often begins with a self-assessment by the applicant institution or program. This is followed by an on-site visit by a survey team from the accrediting organization. The survey team often consists of a multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals. During the survey process, the team may visit various units of the institution, and they may conduct interviews with leaders, professional staff members, and others. A detailed report of the findings from the survey visit and any recommendations for improvements are presented to the institution. Finally, if the institution or program demonstrates that it meets the agreed standards, it is awarded accreditation.

It is customary for applicant institutions and programs to put substantial effort into the preparation for accreditation. To help with the process, accrediting organizations often provide or sell materials and consultation services to help prepare the institutions and programs for the impending evaluations.

...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles

Read next

More like this

Sage Recommends

We found other relevant content for you on other Sage platforms.

close

Have you created a personal profile? Login or create a profile so that you can save clips, playlists and searches

close
close
close Signed In to profile You are signed in as:
close
Logged in Institution Institution