HOW DO PROVIDERS APPLY FOR ACCREDITATION?
The Commission on Accreditation for Home Care (CAHC) is a nonprofit accreditation organization specializing in New Jersey home care. The Commission operates only in New Jersey, accrediting NJ home care agencies exclusively.
As the only state-based accreditation program, CAHC has in-depth knowledge of all NJ State legislation, rules and regulations, and has ongoing collaborative relationships with the State Departments of Health and Senior Services, Human Services, and Law and Public Safety.
CAHC has been recognized by the state of New Jersey as an accrediting body since 1986 for personal care services and since 1995 for in-home skilled nursing services. Accreditation is mandatory if an agency wishes to participate in the New Jersey Medicaid Program.
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A voluntary process in which a home care agency has allowed an independent, outside entity to evaluate its operation
- Provides assurance to the public that industry accepted Standards have been met
- Sets a home care agency apart from its competitors by showing that it values external evaluation, ongoing monitoring, and ways to improve quality of services offered
- Promotes self-analysis, areas for improvement, and monitoring of quality
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What are the Benefits of Commission on Accreditation for Home Care (CAHC) Accreditation?
- CAHC operates only in New Jersey, accrediting New Jersey home care agencies exclusively. As the only state-based accreditation program, CAHC has in-depth knowledge of New Jersey State regulations and has on-going collaborative relationships with the State Department of Human Services, Health & Senior Services and Law and Public Safety.
- Experienced CAHC staff is available to assist with the accreditation process, implementation of CAHC Standards, and for ongoing educational support. We can help your agency maintain and improve the quality of services delivered.
- New Jersey consumers recognize that CAHC accreditation is an indication of high quality home health care services. A CAHC-accredited agency can advertise its “seal of approval.”
- County Offices on Aging, hospitals, and various community agencies recognize the importance of accreditation by an independent organization.
- CAHC markets for our accredited agencies. For example, we provide consumers, hospitals, County Offices on Aging, and community agencies with listings of CAHC ACCREDITED AGENCIES.
- A growing number of insurance companies recognize CAHC accreditation. (back to top)
Who is eligible to apply?
- The agency must be a licensed Health Care Service Firm in New Jersey, and must be operating and actively providing services in New Jersey for at least one year.
- The agency must have a registered professional nurse responsible for administering the program. This RN must be in good standing with the New Jersey Board of Nursing, must hold a current license to practice in New Jersey, and must meet specific educational and experience criteria as outlined in the Commission on Accreditation for Home Care CAHC Standards.
- For Personal Care services accreditation, the agency must have provided services to at least six patients during the four months prior to applying. All aides must be directly employed and must have current certification by the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
- For In-Home Skilled Nursing services accreditation, the agency must have provided service to at least one patient during the four months prior to applying. All field nurses must be directly employed and must have current licensure by the New Jersey Board of Nursing. (back to top)
What is the initial application process?
The application process consists of a review of the application by the Commission staff and the RN Field Nurse surveyor, interviews with selected agency personnel and patients and a comprehensive on-site survey.
After the survey, a report is presented to the CAHC Board of Trustees at its next scheduled meeting. The Board decides whether or not to grant accreditation. (back to top)
How long does it take?
To properly prepare the application, you will need to thoroughly review your policies and operations to ensure that they adhere to CAHC Standards. On average, it takes 6 months from the time CAHC receives an application through Board approval. (back to top)
What is the monitoring process?
The Commission monitors all accredited agencies to ensure continued compliance with the Commission on Accreditation for Home Care CAHC Standards.
Each agency is monitored at least annually. The monitoring process includes, at minimum,
the on-site survey, and may include personnel and clinical record audits,
interviews
with selected agency personnel and patients and a review of the agency's policies
and procedures. After each survey, a determination is made as to whether or
not to continue accreditation.
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