Accreditation Links
Accreditation professionals rely on many sources of information to help them stay continuously prepared for survey and current with standard changes. The following links and resources provide information on various accreditation-related issues.
Accreditation Links List
The Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO)
The Joint Commission, the main accrediting body of hospitals, gives visitors links to the National Patient Safety Goals, the Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Hospitals, and other rules of accreditation as well as news briefs and frequently asked questions.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Gives viewers information on all CMS programs, links to news briefs, and information about its accreditation services.
DNV Hospital Accreditation
Gives viewers a chance to familiarize themselves with the concept of DNV's accrediting body-the National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations (NIAHO). Being NIAHO accredited means combining CMS regulations with international standards. DNV also utilizes ISO-9001 quality measures into hospital accreditation.
Healtcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP)
Gives viewers a chance to visit the Web site of this accreditor, founded by the American Osteopathic Association. Oversight of the accreditor recently changed to the American Osteopathic Information Association. HFAP has been accrediting hospitals for more than 60 years.
The Greeley Company
Visitors can learn about The Greeley Company's consulting services as well as a chance to get to know its consultants. There are links to its many healthcare-related products.
Briefings on The Joint Commission
briefingsonjointcommission.com
Briefings on The Joint Commission is a leading newsletter that gives hospitals the inside look at the Joint Commission and how to keep up with its changing standards.
American Hospital Association (AHA)
Home to the national body that represents all types of hospitals and health care facilities. Here you will find links to "what's new" in the AHA, key issues of the organization, as well as other healthcare-related Web sites.
Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
The IHI continuously creates new initiatives in the way of patient safety. Viewers can also learn about the IHI and its upcoming programs as well as download forms and learn about practices to better their own hospitals.
The Improvement Map
http://www.ihi.org/IHI/Programs/ImprovementMap/
This program created by the IHI builds off of the previous 100,000 Lives and 5 Million Lives campaigns. Using the 12 interventions identified through those campaigns and three new ones, The Improvement Map aims to identify major processes within a hospital and improve upon them to better patient care.
Institute of Medicine (IOM)
The IOM tries to work outside the realm of government to advise the nation on health based on scientific findings. Viewers can choose to learn about the many topics it covers, its upcoming events, and special reports on the health of the nation.
United State Pharmacopeia (USP)
The USP is the official public standards-setting authority for all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and other healthcare products manufactured and sold in the United States. Find standards, events, lists of verified ingredients, and healthcare information.
National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ)
This association for professionals in healthcare quality gives information on opportunities to learn from and network with colleagues as well as become a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality, a certification given out by NAHQ.
American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM)
This professional membership group promotes risk management and professional leadership. Viewers can find links to education opportunities, American Hospital Association news, and many goodies for members like a member directory, job listings, and a listserv.
National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF)
This non-profit organization was created as a forum for professionals whose jobs deal with making patients safe. The site offers viewers information on the annual awards given by the group, its national conference, links to research proposals, library resources publications, and how individuals can get involved in the group.
Individual State Departments of Health
www.mass.gov (scroll down)
Provides links to each state's own Department of Health page.
Individual State Hospital Associations
Provides links to each state's own hospital association.
