Season’s Greetings from ACHC!

Thank you for all of your support this past year. Please click on the link to view your Holiday Greeting from ACHC.

ACHC receives Deeming Authority for Hospice from CMS

RALEIGH, NC – The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC) is proud to announce that they have received deeming authority for hospice organizations from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). ACHC earned a four year term for hospice deeming authority from CMS.

Recognition by CMS means that ACHC has met or exceeded all Medicare and Medicaid certification standards. Providers now have the choice to become Medicare certified hospice providers by choosing ACHC for accreditation.

“ACHC is extremely excited that we’ve been recognized by CMS for our hospice accreditation program,” said Sherry Hedrick, Senior Vice President of Clinical Compliance & Accreditation. “We know that many of our clients and potential clients have been looking forward to seeing us receive hospice Deeming Authority for some time now and we’re very happy to announce this achievement today”.

ACHC is a not-for-profit organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. Their quality management system is ISO 9001:2008 certified. Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care. ACHC is the provider’s choice for accreditation because of personal account managers, relevant and realistic standards, competitive pricing and a friendly, consultative approach to accreditation.

For more information, please contact us at 919-785-1214, customerservice@achc.org or visit achc.org.

ACHC Accepting Applications for Pharmacy Extension

The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC) is currently accepting applications for retail pharmacy accreditation.  Bill H.R. 3663 extended the accreditation deadline for pharmacies that supply DMEPOS from Sept. 30, 2009 to Dec. 31, 2009. HME and Sleep Manager Tim Safley said, “ACHC is confident that we can complete on site surveys for new applicants, as required by CMS, before the end of the year.” Pharmacies will need to complete their applications quickly in order to meet the new deadline.

ACHC is a not-for-profit organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care. ACHC is the provider’s choice for accreditation because of personal account managers, relevant and realistic standards, competitive pricing and a friendly, consultative approach to accreditation.

For more information please contact customerservice@achc.org, visit www.achc.org or call 919-785-1214



ACHC Sleep Lab Program Recognized by BCBS of Alabama and BCBS of Kansas

Raleigh, NC – The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC) is pleased to announce recognition by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas for sleep lab accreditation. Approved for DMEPOS accreditation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, ACHC recently launched a new sleep lab accreditation program that was designed specifically for facilities that provide Sleep Diagnostic Testing in hospital based testing facilities, Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities (IDTF), or in home settings.

The program takes a comprehensive approach to sleep related testing including the clinical aspects of patient care. ACHC’s accreditation surveys for sleep labs are scheduled and announced in order to allow observation of an initial patient set-up and are conducted by a sleep specialist. Contact the ACHC office to receive a free set of sleep lab accreditation standards or for more information.

ACHC is a not-for-profit organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care. ACHC is the provider’s choice for accreditation because of personal account managers, relevant and realistic standards, competitive pricing and a friendly, consultative approach to accreditation.

For more information please contact customerservice@achc.org, visit www.achc.org or call 919-785-1214.

ACHC Completes All DMEPOS Surveys before CMS Deadline

Raleigh, NC – The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC) has completed all accreditation surveys for DMEPOS providers who applied with ACHC before January 31, 2009, as well as several providers who applied after the January deadline. The surveys were completed before the CMS mandatory accreditation deadline of September 30, 2009. ACHC surveyors and account managers have been very busy the last few months working with providers and assisting them through the accreditation process. Matt Hughes, Accreditation and Business Relations Manager, credits ACHC’s success to preparation months prior to January, including hiring additional surveyors and interns. These measures ensured the process went smoothly and efficiently without sacrificing the quality of accreditation and excellent customer service that ACHC is known for.

ACHC is a not-for-profit organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care. ACHC is the provider’s choice for accreditation because of personal account managers, relevant and realistic standards, competitive pricing and a friendly, consultative approach to accreditation.

For more information please contact customerservice@achc.org, visit www.achc.org or call 919-785-1214.

ACHC releases updated 2009 Infusion Pharmacy Standards

Raleigh, NC – The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC) has released updated 2009 Infusion Pharmacy Standards that are now available at no charge on ACHC’s website, achc.org. ACHC was the first to develop specific accreditation standards for infusion pharmacy. Major changes in the 2009 standards relate to updates in the USP 797 regulations. These changes only affect Infusion Pharmacy providers- Retail Pharmacies applying for DMEPOS accreditation are not affected by these changes.

ACHC is a not-for-profit organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. Their quality management system is ISO 9001:2008 certified. Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care. ACHC is the provider’s choice for accreditation because of personal account managers, relevant and realistic standards, competitive pricing and a friendly, consultative approach to accreditation.

For more information, please contact us at 919-785-1214, customerservice@achc.org or visit achc.org.

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ACHC attains Commitment Award with NC Awards for Excellence and works toward the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award

The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC) is pleased to announce it has received the North Carolina Awards for Excellence (NCAfE) Commitment (Level 2) Award. This milestone marks ACHC’s first step toward applying for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

NCAfE (a program administered by the Industrial Extension Service at North Carolina State University) promotes quality management and business excellence by utilizing the Baldrige Criteria to assess and measure business performance. NCAfE uses a tiered program and recognizes participation at four defined levels. Commitment Award winners have demonstrated progress in building sound and notable processes through their implementation of performance management principles.

The Malcolm Baldrige Award recognizes the achievements and results of U.S. companies, and publicizes successful performance strategies. The Baldrige Criteria help organizations improve performance by focusing on enhancing value for customers and stakeholders, improving overall organizational effectiveness, and promoting organizational and personal learning. Since 1988, seventy-five organizations have received Baldrige Awards.

Leslie Knuth, Vice President of Quality Assurance, believes the Baldrige criteria will help ACHC achieve the highest level of excellence possible. “The Baldrige Criteria and NCAfE are a good match for ACHC. The criteria will help enhance our understanding of our customers, employees and processes, while NCAfE’s incremental approach and feedback reports help us implement and manage new initiatives.”

Knuth goes on to say, “We believe using principles from Baldrige, coupled with our ISO background, is the best way to further improve our organization and the quality of our service.”

ACHC is a not-for-profit organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. Their quality management system is ISO 9001:2008 certified. Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care. ACHC is the provider’s choice for accreditation because of personal account managers, relevant and realistic standards, competitive pricing and a friendly, consultative approach to accreditation.

For more information, or to follow our progress, please contact us at 919-785-1214, customerservice@achc.org or visit achc.org.

ACHC Announces Free Accreditation Standards

Raleigh, NC - The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC) is pleased to announce that the Interpretive Guide for Accreditation Standards is now available at no charge. Providers can register for the guide on ACHC’s website and will receive a unique username and password. Upon registration, they will receive access to the standards and other helpful accreditation tools. The provider will also have access to a personal Account Manager to assist them if they have any questions about the accreditation process. The guide, previously $300, is available at achc.org in the ACHC Store. ACHC is a not-for-profit organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986.

Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care. ACHC is the provider’s choice for accreditation because of personal account managers, relevant and realistic standards, competitive pricing and a friendly, consultative approach to accreditation.

For more information please contact customerservice@achc.org, visit www.achc.org or call 919-785-1214

ACHC recognized by Oklahoma as an accrediting choice for Sleep Diagnostic Testing

RALEIGH, NC- The “Oklahoma Sleep Diagnostic Testing Regulation Act” (Senate Bill 810) was recently signed into law, stating that there is a growing need for sleep diagnostic testing in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Accreditation Commission for Healthcare, Inc., (ACHC) was recognized as an accrediting body that sleep diagnostic testing facilities can use in order to meet the new standards set forth in the bill.

The new law requires facilities and physicians to adhere to certain standards, one of which states that on and after January 1, 2010, sleep diagnostic testing facilities will be required to be fully or provisionally certified or accredited.

Approved for DMEPOS accreditation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, ACHC recently launched a new sleep lab accreditation program that was created specifically for freestanding and hospital based sleep labs and includes the clinical aspect of patient care focusing on the testing of a patient.

ACHC is a not-for-profit organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. ACHC is the provider’s choice for DMEPOS accreditation because of personal account managers, relevant and realistic standards, competitive pricing and a friendly, consultative approach to accreditation. For more information on ACHC’s accreditation programs, please visit http://www.achc.org or contact them at customerservice@achc.org or 919-785-1214.

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ACHC Announces new Sleep Lab Accreditation Program

ACHC, The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, is pleased to announce a new sleep lab accreditation program. Approved for DMEPOS accreditation from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, ACHC’s sleep lab program was created specifically for freestanding and hospital based sleep labs and includes the clinical aspect of patient care focusing on the testing of a patient.

ACHC is a not-for-profit organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care. ACHC is the provider’s choice for DMEPOS accreditation because of personal account managers, relevant and realistic standards, competitive pricing and a friendly, consultative approach to accreditation.

For more information please contact customerservice@achc.org or call (919) 785-1214