Dealer/Provider spoke with Maryanne Popovich, RN, MPH, executive director of home care accreditation services at the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and Robert J. Floro, RRT, associate director of home care accreditation services, JCAHO, about the reality of mandatory accreditation.

Q Are providers moving fast enough to begin accreditation?
A Popovich: Providers seeking accreditation to meet the requirements of the MMA are moving too fast at this point. Many organizations are rushing to accreditation because they have been told by unofficial sources that accreditation will be mandatory for HMEs by 2007. In reality, CMS has not yet published the quality standards that organizations must meet, or the qualifications of the accrediting bodies that will be administering those standards. In addition, CMS has not yet published the 10 MSAs that will be included in the competitive bidding process for 2007.

Q What is holding providers back from getting accredited?
A Popovich: Many organizations are not seeking accreditation because they are unsure of the standards themselves, as well as how the implementation of the standards will be operationalized, and prefer to wait until CMS concludes the plan. There is also a perception that accreditation is expensive, highly punitive, and difficult to achieve. Achieving accreditation does require the commitment of resources, but the benefits certainly justify the expenditure of that time, effort, and expense.

Q What are providers saying about the effects accreditation has on their business?
A Floro: Many organizations are using their Joint Commission accreditation to set themselves apart from competitors. They portray their companies to referral organizations as companies that have taken the extra step to assure quality services. Since patient safety is an area stressed by the Joint Commission, accredited organizations are able to market that concept to the public as well. Accredited organizations have embraced quality patient services as an integral part of their corporate culture, and that is the main message. The ability to achieve accreditation for HME as well as clinical respiratory services and rehabilitation technology further distinguishes Joint Commission accredited organizations from others.

Many organizations view meeting our standards as a risk reduction activity as well.

Q Would a consumer care which agency accredits a provider?
A Floro: Whenever a health care organization improves the quality of their services, provides a safer environment for both patients and staff, and adopts a culture of quality that Joint Commission accreditation brings, the consumer should care. When Joint Commission standards are met, those benefits include equipment that is delivered in a clean and sanitary manner, equipment that is properly maintained and appropriate to meet the patient’s needs, and so much more.

Equipment that is properly maintained and in good working order; backup systems in place if equipment failure will lead to patient injury or ineffective care; staff that is competent, respectful, and effectively trained effective infection control measures; an ongoing performance improvement plan; and leadership that is involved in the quality of services provided to the patient.