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advantage. They can use these standards to drive the kind of excellence that will make them attractive to new types of customers and referral partners. Let’s examine some key things you’ll want to do to ensure the renewal process goes smoothly:
The overarching principle in renewing accreditation is that it should be a company-wide undertaking. All members of the team must be involved in the process and take ownership in ensuring its success. Because the accreditation process is time-consuming and incorpo-
rates detailed work, everyone must be involved. Appoint
a project manager and department leaders who can then
work with team members to the task of implementing
the standards throughout the organization. But before
diving in, make certain the organization understands
the imperative to pass renewal. For employees that have
been around the process before, tell them about any
changes. For new employees, review how the process
will work; explain how it might be different from before;
and specify how the process will impact each depart-
ment and what will be required of team members in
those departments.
As you renew your accreditation, you will need to have a mast plan in place. Chances are you might have done this in earlier instances of getting accredited, but your entire business should operate under an overarching outline of all the accreditation standards. These stan- dards should apply to single process carried out by any department at any time. Having this master accredita- tion provides you with an easy way to review and ensure compliance at any time. Many accrediting organizations offer lists that can help you create one that can be tailored to your business, but it can serve as a good guide to create this business-wide outline. As you approach renewal, review your master plan and ensure that is covers all aspects of your business, old and new.
For any new employees who have not experienced accreditation, or if you are adding new lines of busi-
ness that will require additional accreditation, or if your accreditation organization has expanded its standards
for your existing accreditation, your team will need
to be ready. They must be trained in new policies and procedures being put in place. This could even entail
the addition of new credentials on your staff, so you will need to ensure your staff has the necessary certifications and licensure, and that those credentials are up to date and have sufficient CEUs. Moreover, if you are expanding geographically, then the staff at new locations will need to accredited, and that could entail unique requirements for those employees. For instance, different states have different requirements regarding required certification or licensure for providing different types of care of service.
CMS’s ramping up of claims audits, as well as pres- sures such as the face-to-face requirement mean that providers need to have their documentation ducks in a row. And, accrediting organizations will be monitoring this with a careful eye in order to ensure your busi- ness is safe from the threat of pre- and post-payment audits. The risk is simply too serious and the right documentation procedures must be in place. So, as a special part of your accreditation renewal, you must highlight the fact that all departments need to adhere to their required documentation procedures through the entire claims and care process — from having the right documentation from physicians on claims to patient
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signatures on delivery tickets.
Perhaps the culmination of the accreditation renewal process is the site
survey. Like a pop quiz, you might not know when it is going to happen, but you can at least be prepared. If the accreditation standards outlined by your accrediting organization are indeed part of you business’s regular operating procedure and are second nature to every employee, then you should feel confident you’ll pass with flying colors. n
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