ACCREDITATION/REGULATIONS

Accreditation organizations are independent not-for-profit organizations that accredit, certify, manage and promote providing effective continuous improvements of quality and safety in health care organizations and national public health organizations. These organizations strategically work with health care providers to identify areas of quality improvement:

• Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), formerly known as Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP). Contact your ACHC facility/organization Representative who handles ACHC standards for current manual accreditation updates.
• The Commission on Cancer (CoC) is a program of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) that is dedicated to improving the survival and quality of life for cancer patients. Review Standards (Chapter 4. Personnel and Services Resources, 4.7 Oncology Nutrition Services and 4.8 Survivorship Program; search by “nutrition”).
• DNV GL Healthcare Accreditation and Certification
• The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits, certifies and manages health care organizations in the United States. Like other accreditation organizations, the Joint Commission also promotes effective, continuous improvements of quality and safety within health care organizations and national public health organizations.
• Standards and element of performance within the Chapter – Provision of Care, Treatment, and Services need to be reviewed as these pertain to the functions of RDNs and NDTRs. In addition, note the standards and element of performance within the Chapter – Record of Care, Treatment, and Services especially RC.02.01.01 and EoP 2 and RC.02.04.01 EoP.
• The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) is a nonprofit organization aimed at improving and protecting the health of the public by advancing public health departments. For additional information about PHAB Scope of Authority.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have many regulations that include information for RDs/RDNs. Take time to orient on what information is available that would support practice. Link to the home page: https://www.cms.gov/ or for regulations: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Regulations-and-Guidance.

• CMS Conditions for Coverage (CfCs) and Conditions of Participations (CoPs)- https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/CFCsAndCoPs/index.html?redirect=/CFCsAndCoPs/01_Overview.asp  
• Nursing Home Resource Center https://www.cms.gov/nursing-homes
• CMS Nursing Homes Quality- http://www.cms.hhs.gov/nursinghomequalityinits/20_nhqimds20.asp  
• State Operations Manuals – Clink on letter on Table of Contents page for applicable regulations. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/appendices-table-content.pdf
• Appendix A – Survey Protocol, Regulations, and Interpretive Guidelines for Hospitals --(CMS §482.28 Condition of Participation: Food and Dietetic Services (Full Section)-
• Appendix H – End-Stage Renal Disease Facilities
• Appendix J – Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
• Appendix PP- Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities
• Appendix W – Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs)