ACHC Blog


The ACHC world is broad and full of ideas.
Check out our blog to discover what’s top of mind.
(To filter by interest, just click a topic.)
Maryland Halts New Licenses for Some Behavioral Health Programs
A moratorium on new licenses for select behavioral health programs and services in Maryland took effect July 1, 2024.
Time Out: Working to Ensure Operating Room Mistakes Don’t Happen
Did you know that the “time-out” performed in healthcare operating rooms was adapted from the aviatio¬¬n industry’s practices? Aviation’s pre-flight checklist and communication protocols reduced errors and enhanced safety.
Heads Up, Laboratories! Dengue Virus, Novel Influenza, and More
On June 25, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) message about an increased risk of dengue virus (DENV) infections in the United States in 2024.
Meet Record Requirements? New Form Simplifies Survey Prep
Client/patient records are a vital part of the accreditation survey process. When a Surveyor arrives for your on-site survey, your organization must provide several client/patient record reports during the opening conference.
Verifying Personnel Credentials Is a Crucial Task for Hospitals
Your latest hire might not be the healthcare professional you think you hired for your acute care hospital. Did you check? A multi-state scheme to sell fake nursing diplomas should serve as a crucial reminder about the importance of verifying credentials for all licensed personnel.
U.S. Agencies Monitoring Avian Influenza While Measles and Mpox Demand Attention, Too
First, birds, of course. Then cows contracted A/H5 avian influenza. And now with a human case confirmed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is taking steps to help manufacturers prepare to mass produce devices for testing. And in the U.S. and elsewhere, measles and Mpox require watching, too.
CMS Extends Effective Date for New Hospice Requirements
New Medicare requirements for hospice certifying physicians will now take effect June 3, 2024, instead of the original May 1 effective date. CMS announced the action in an MLN newsletter on April 25.
Why Documenting Feedback Matters for DMEPOS Services
DMEPOS suppliers often are cited during a survey for failing to meet performance management requirements established by DMEPOS Quality Standards of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
How Survey Deficiencies Can Benefit Your Sleep Facility
It's natural to look at accreditation survey deficiencies as shortcomings or failures. However, these challenges can serve as opportunities for growth and improvement.
New Survey Checklist Simplifies Record Preparation
Service recipient records are a vital part of the accreditation survey process. When a Surveyor arrives for your on-site survey, your organization must provide several service recipient record reports during the opening conference. A new ACHC checklist is available to help you assess your organization’s compliance with service recipient record requirements.
Survey Ready? New Checklist Simplifies Record Preparation
Patient records are a vital part of the accreditation survey process. When a Surveyor arrives for your on-site survey, your organization must provide several patient record reports during the opening conference. A new ACHC checklist is available to help you assess your organization’s compliance with patient record requirements.
Medication Safety for Office-Based Surgery
Office-based surgery (OBS) centers are an attractive choice for patients seeking surgery outside the hospital setting. Not only are these centers providing quicker access to scheduling and lower out-of-pocket costs, but also they are increasing the variety and complexity of cases being performed in the office-based setting.