The Joint Commission has launched the industry’s first certification for home health and hospices that provide palliative care services in the patient’s place of residence. Organizations can begin to apply for the voluntary Community-Based Palliative Care (CBPC) certification on May 1, 2016, with onsite surveys to start on July 1, 2016.
“The need for community-based palliative care programs is growing and home care organizations are developing comprehensive programs to better meet the needs of chronically ill patients who may or may not qualify for home health services, but who need the physical and psychosocial support that palliative care services provide,” said Margherita Labson, executive director, Home Care Program, The Joint Commission.
“The industry has expressed a need for an objective review against national benchmarks to be better positioned for success, as well as opportunities to promote improved outcomes and strengthen operational efficiency. Community-Based Palliative Care certification addresses all of these components.”
The certification’s framework helps providers design, deliver and validate patient-centered care and services.
Key CBPC certification requirements include: a robust interdisciplinary care team
Customized, comprehensive care plans; after-hours care and services; use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines; and a defined hand-off communications process.
CPBC prepublication standards were developed based on the 2013 Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care (3rd ed.); the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s Standards of Practice for Pediatric Palliative Care and Hospice (2010); other current palliative care professional literature; and input from a panel of home care and palliative care experts. The standards underwent a six-week field review to obtain feedback from Joint Commission customers and other health care professionals.
The Joint Commission, CBPC Certification, Home health and hospices, Margherita Labson, US
