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A comprehensive reference guide to the key terms, acronyms, and concepts used in ACHC accreditation and home health compliance.
Accreditation Commission for Health Care — a nonprofit accreditation organization with CMS deeming authority for home health, hospice, pharmacy, and other healthcare services.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — the federal agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Conditions of Participation — the federal health and safety standards that healthcare providers must meet to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs (42 CFR Part 484 for home health).
The authority granted by CMS to accreditation organizations to certify that accredited providers meet Medicare Conditions of Participation, eliminating the need for a separate state survey.
A systematic assessment comparing an agency's current operations against required standards to identify deficiencies that must be addressed before accreditation.
Home Health Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems — a standardized patient satisfaction survey used to measure and publicly report patient experience in home health.
Interdisciplinary Team — the group of healthcare professionals (nurses, therapists, social workers, etc.) who collaborate to develop and implement a patient's plan of care.
Medicare Administrative Contractor — a private company that processes Medicare claims and handles Medicare enrollment for providers in a specific geographic region.
A simulated accreditation survey conducted by a consultant to identify compliance gaps and prepare staff before the actual ACHC survey.
Outcome and Assessment Information Set — a standardized data collection tool used by home health agencies to assess patient health status and measure outcomes.
Performance Improvement Project — a focused, structured effort to improve a specific aspect of care or operations, required as part of a QAPI program.
A formal document submitted to ACHC after a survey that describes how an agency will address each cited deficiency, including specific actions, responsible parties, and timelines.
Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement — a systematic, data-driven approach to identifying problems and implementing measurable improvements in care quality and operations.
Registered Nurse — a licensed healthcare professional who provides skilled nursing services and supervises home health aide services in home health settings.
Healthcare services that require the expertise of a licensed professional (RN, PT, OT, SLP) and cannot be safely performed by an untrained person.
Start of Care — the initial visit by a home health clinician to assess a new patient and begin the care planning process, triggering an OASIS assessment.
An ACHC-employed or contracted healthcare professional who conducts on-site accreditation surveys to evaluate an agency's compliance with ACHC standards.
The Joint Commission — the largest healthcare accreditation organization in the United States, also holding CMS deeming authority for home health agencies.
An accreditation survey conducted without prior notice to the agency — ACHC conducts unannounced surveys as part of its accreditation process.
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse — a registered nurse with specialized certification in wound care, ostomy care, and continence management.
Our team is here to help you navigate the accreditation process with confidence.
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