Operational Excellence

Home Care - Private Duty Certification, Accreditation, and Code of Conduct: A Competitive Advantage

11/01/2022

While accreditation has been a delineating factor for Medicare-certified home health agencies, private duty home care providers can also enhance their brand and gain a competitive edge through accreditation. Accreditation not only opens the door to business expansion and growth, it also helps them proactively address potential legal issues and respond to increased state and national regulations.

Organizations that are accredited consistently deliver the highest quality services through adoption and adherence to operational and care standards that are recognized and supported by all health care providers.

There are 2 other paths that Home Care-Private Duty agencies can take that require the adoption of fewer standards when compared to accreditation. The National Association for Home Care offers ‘certification’ as an option for home care-private duty providers, and the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) offers members an opportunity to adopt the HCAOA’s Code of Conduct.

Home Care-Private Duty Certification vs. Home Care-Private Duty Accreditation

Unless specified by state regulation, both certification and accreditation are viable avenues for private duty providers. To be considered for certification or accreditation requires the provider to complete an application and manage their organization and operations based on specific requirements encapsulated within policies and procedures.

Certification or accreditation certainly add value to agencies in today’s competitive home care market. Although it is more complex, time-consuming, and costly, accreditation demonstrates an agency has gone through an extremely robust level of review.

Certification

The National Association for Home Care (NAHC) has developed a process leading to certification. This certification was created by private duty leaders, exclusively for the private duty community. Agencies are required to conduct a comprehensive examination relating to nineteen (19) separate but interrelated aspects of business and operations. The annual fee of $750 is waived for NAHC members.

Code of Conduct

The Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) created a Member Code of Conduct. By signing the HCAOA’s Code of Conduct, member agencies attest to the achievement of numerous requirements.

Accreditation

Several organizations offer accreditation for private duty agencies. The requirements, standards, costs, and three-year cycles are similar. All generally require an on-site survey. Accrediting organization include:

• The Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC)
• Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP)
• The Joint Commission
• The National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC)

Below are a few questions to ask when planning to become NAHC certified or accredited.

Do we have the time:

• Required for planning?
• To review and develop required policies and practices?
• To review and revise recruitment and employment practices?
• To review, revise, or develop initial and routine competency training?
• To develop an organization-wide quality improvement program?
• To develop a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan?
• To review or implement client practices related to quality care?

Are you ready to begin the process to become NAHC certified, or accredited by ACHC, CHAP, the Joint Commission, or adopt the HCAOA Member Code of Conduct? Wherever you are in the process, Corcoran Consulting Group can help. Contact us at info@corcoranconsultants.com or call 207-251-9661

Maryanna Arsenault is Director, Operational Support Services at Corcoran Consulting Group. She is an ACHC Certified Consultant for Home Health, Hospice, and Private Duty.