• Organizations
  • Certified Consultants
  • Certified Products
  • Log In
ACHC-logo
  • The Essentials
    • Accreditation 101
    • FAQs
    • Start an Application
    • Transitioning To ACHC
  • About Us
    • ACHC International
    • ISO Certification
    • ACHCU
    • Careers
    • Our Story
      • Mission, Vision, Values
    • Our Leaders
    • Our Board
  • Programs
        • Ambulatory Care
        • Ambulatory Surgery Center
        • Assisted Living
        • Behavioral Health
        • Clinical Laboratory
        • Critical Access Hospital
        • Dentistry
        • DMEPOS
        • Healthcare Staffing Services
        • Home Care
        • Home Health
        • Home Infusion Therapy
        • Hospice
        • Hospital
        • In-Home Hospital Care
        • Joint Replacement Certification
        • Lithotripsy Certification
        • Long-Term Care Dialysis Certification
        • Office-Based Surgery
        • Palliative Care
        • PCAB (Compounding Pharmacy)
        • Pharmacy
        • Pharmacy Inspection Services
        • Renal Dialysis
        • Sleep
        • Stroke Certification
        • Telehealth Certification
        • Wound Care Certification
  • Resources
    • ACHC News
    • ACHCU Education
      • ACHCU Academy
      • HealthTrainU
      • LabU
    • Articles
    • Podcast
    • Publications
    • Regulatory Updates
    • Strategic Partners
    • Find Organizations
    • Find a Certified Consultants
    • Find Certified Products
    • Transitioning To ACHC
  • Contact
  • Get Started
  • Certified Consultants
  • Certified Products
  • Log In
  • Organizations
  • Certified Consultants
  • Certified Products
  • Log In

ACHC has revised Acute Care Hospital and Critical Access Hospital Standards.

The revisions became effective January 1, 2026.
Download useful resources below.

Acute Care Hospital Accreditation Updates 

Download each PDF for the updates

2026 Accreditation Requirements for Acute Care Hospitals Effective 01.01.2026

Changes for 2026

Acute Care Hospital Standards Crosswalk 2025-2026,  #1 | Chapters 28 and 33

Chapter 28 | Obstetric Services (NEW)

Chapter 33 | DPU Physical Rehab (change at 33.01.05)

Acute Care Hospitals Standards Crosswalk 2025-2026, #2 | Chapters 10 and 30

Chapter 10 | Medical Records

Chapter 30 | Surgical Services

Critical Access Hospital Accreditation Updates

Download each PDF for the updates

2026 Accreditation Requirements for Critical Access Hospitals Effective 01.01.2026 

Changes for 2026

Critical Access Hospital Standards Crosswalk, 2025-2026, #1 | Chapters 06 and 12

Chapter 6.11 | Obstetric Services (NEW)

Chapter 12 | DPU Physical Rehab (change at 12.02.05)

Critical Access Hospitals Standards Crosswalk 2025-2026, #2 | Chapters 07 and 08

Chapter 07 | Medical Records

Chapter 08 | Surgical Services

Download a PPT describing the new OB-related requirements

Acute Care Hospital 2026 v1

Download a PPT describing the new OB-related requirements

Critical Access Hospital 2026 v1

Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc.

139 Weston Oaks Ct. | Cary, NC 27513

customerservice@achc.org

Toll-free: (855) 937-2242 | Fax: (919) 785-3011

Helpful Links

ACHC Careers

ACHCU

Board Central

Board Central International

Employee Central

Contact Us

FAQs

Find Accredited Organizations

Terms of Use

Join Our Community

Get ACHC updates – straight to your inbox.

Sign up today!

Let’s Get Social

facebook-iconx-iconyt-iconlinkedin-icon

© 2026 ACCREDITATION COMMISSION FOR HEALTH CARE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  • Acute Care Hospital and Critical Access Hospital Edition 
  • Ambulatory Surgery Center Edition
  • Behavioral Health Edition
  • Clinical Laboratory Edition
  • DMEPOS Edition
  • Home Care, Home Health, Hospice, and Home Infusion Therapy Edition
  • Pharmacy, PCAB Compounding, and Home Infusion Therapy Edition 
  • Renal Dialysis Edition
  • Sleep Edition
  • Acute Care Hospital and Critical Access Hospital Edition
  • Ambulatory Surgery Center Edition
  • Behavioral Health Edition
  • Clinical Laboratory Edition
  • DMEPOS Edition
  • Home Care, Home Health, Hospice, and Home Infusion Therapy Edition
  • Pharmacy, PCAB Compounding, and Home Infusion Therapy Edition
  • Renal Dialysis Edition
  • Sleep Edition

Certification by ACHC means only that: (i) the product certified currently contains the necessary elements and/or fields that correspond to the items set forth in the ACHC Accreditation Standards for which the product certified is intended to be used (the “Applicable Accreditation Requirements”); (ii) the product certified has the ability to collect, store, and report the data necessary under the Applicable Accreditation Requirements for review by ACHC during a survey; and (iii), if the product certified is used correctly by you, it could improve or expedite your survey experience with ACHC.

Certification by ACHC does not mean or include anything else, including, without limitation, any representation, or warranty regarding the quality, functionality, uptime, downtime, security, performance, support, compatibility, vulnerability to attack, or fitness for any purpose of the product certified or that the product certified is free from defects, malware, bugs, or other issues. Use of the certified product does not guaranty or ensure accreditation by ACHC. ACHC is not recommending or endorsing any certified product or its use, and nothing herein shall be construed as such a recommendation or endorsement.

ACHC disclaims any and all liability associated with any certified product and/or your use of any certified product, and you irrevocably waive any and all claims you have or may have against ACHC with respect to any certified product or your use thereof, including, without limitation, liability and claims associated with quality, functionality, uptime, downtime, security, performance, support, compatibility, vulnerability to attack, fitness for any purpose, defects, malware, bugs, cyberattacks, ransomware, data breaches, and other issues with, caused by, or related to the product certified or the provider of the product certified or your use of the product certified.

If you wish to use any certified product, you are encouraged to conduct appropriate due diligence, including checking references, in determining whether to use any of the certified product and whether such use is appropriate for you. You acknowledge and agree that your use of any certified product is at your sole risk.