ACHC bolsters program

CARY, N.C. - The Accreditation Commission for Home Care (ACHC) is looking for a few good consultants.

More than a few, actually. The Cary, N.C.-based agency has decided to bolster its accreditation program by adding a roster of professional consultants to give subscribers “the opportunity to get the most from their ACHC accreditation experience,” says marketing associate Kevin O'Connell.

Through the new Certified Consultant program, the agency looks to establish “a pedigreed cadre of consultants with ACHC-specific knowledge” to work with members throughout the accreditation process, he says.

At its initial consultant workshops in early December, ACHC offered two separate courses specifically for services provided. One session focused on home health, hospice and private duty nursing, while the other concentrated on durable medical equipment and infusion pharmacy.

The training is led by ACHC clinical compliance educators who have “extensive experience operating healthcare organizations, surveying to ACHC standards and leading accreditation workshops,” O'Connell said.

Upon course completion, Certified Consultants will receive the authorized ACHC designation, company listing on the agency's website, access to ACHC accreditation standards and the “Accreditation Guide to Success” workbook.

The Certified Consultant program was developed “to provide industry consultants with formalized training on the ACHC accreditation process, including policies and procedures, standards, and available resources,” O'Connell said. “The goal is to partner with consultants to ensure an understanding of the standards, leading to the delivery of quality patient care.”

Ultimately, the program will serve to establish a qualified network of industry consultants that providers may choose from in preparing for initial or renewal accreditation with ACHC. HME providers may find a list of Certified Consultants on ACHC.org beginning in January 2015.