CARY, N.C. – The Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) has introduced a new accreditation program aimed at setting industry standards for safety, quality, and patient-centered care in the evolving field of home-based acute healthcare. As healthcare organizations adopt new models, ACHC’s program supports this transformation by establishing clear guidelines and best practices for healthcare providers delivering hospital-level care at home.

“We’re seeing a significant movement toward providing higher acuity care for chronic and episodic conditions in the home,” said Patrick Horine, vice president, Acute Care at ACHC, a Medtrade exhibitor. “In-Home Hospital Care Accreditation reflects the broader ‘hospital-at-home’ trend, which emphasizes patient-centered care outside traditional inpatient settings. Our accreditation aims to improve patient outcomes by ensuring safety, quality, consistency and high standards of care across this evolving care delivery model.”

Responding to a growing trend in healthcare delivery, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of hospital-at-home or home-based acute care, as hospitals sought alternative care delivery models to manage overcrowding and resource constraints. Now, with more than 300 hospitals across the U.S. deploying or planning to deploy hospital-at-home programs, this model has proven to be a viable solution that meets patient demand for personalized, comfortable and cost-effective care. Providers who focus exclusively on home-based care are raising the bar on the complexity of care they can provide.

“Many patients, when given the choice, prefer to receive higher levels of care at home, where they feel more comfortable,” said Deanna Scatena, RN, associate program director for ACHC. “Our In-Home Hospital Care Accreditation supports healthcare providers in delivering safe, comprehensive care in home settings, which can ultimately lead to better patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs.”