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Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1951 that evaluates and provides accreditation to hospitals and other healthcare organizations.

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The Joint Commission conduct surveys at hospitals and other healthcare organizations using an objective evaluation process of compliance to performance standards. These performance standards include measures such as safety and quality improvement. One of the overall benefits of a JCAHO accreditation is that by successfully completing a JCAHO survey, an organization has also met the requirements for Medicare and Medicaid certification.  Another benefit of accreditation from JCAHO is that the organization can display the Gold Seal of Approval® which is a symbol of quality and safety.

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What type of organizations and programs does JCAHO accredit?

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What type of organizations and programs does JCAHO accredit?

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·       Ambulatory surgery centers

·       Laboratories

·       Critical access hospitals

·       Hospital home health

·       Hospices

·       Pharmacies

·       Rural health clinics

·       Behavioral health and human services

·       Psychiatric hospitals.

·       Assisted living communities

·       Nursing care centers

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How many organizations and programs does JCAHO accredit?

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How many organizations and programs does JCAHO accredit?

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In the United States, JCAHO accredits and certifies over 22,000 organizations and programs.

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How does an organization prepare for JCAHO accreditation?

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How does an organization prepare for JCAHO accreditation?

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In order to obtain JCAHO accreditation, the program or organization must first submit an application to JCAHO along with the required deposit. An onsite survey will then be scheduled. In order to prepare for a JCAHO survey, the organization or program can complete the Survey Readiness Guide that is applicable to their type of organization or program. The Survey Readiness Guide includes the list of documents required for the survey, the actions that staff and leadership should take as surveyors arrive, and the various areas of compliance that the surveyors will actively assess. The Survey Readiness guide details all aspects of information that will be required and topics that will be discussed during the survey. Survey may take place within 30 days of applying for JCAHO accreditation and ongoing onsite surveys are conducted every two to three years. The preparation period can take four to six months. A decision on accreditation is provided between 2 weeks to a month after the survey.

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What are some examples of local JCAHO accredited programs?

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What are some examples of local JCAHO accredited programs?

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Here are some programs in Baltimore City that are JCAHO accredited

·       VA Maryland Health Care System Opioid Treatment Program

·       People Encouraging People

·       Insightful Life Therapeutic Services LLC

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The American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) offers standard midwifery and nurse-midwifery certification

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What are the eligibility requirements to sit for the AMBC exam?

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What are the eligibility requirements to sit for the AMBC exam?

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In order to be eligible to become certified as a nurse-midwife, the candidate must have:

o   A Graduate degree from accredited college/university

o    Graduated from a nurse-midwifery education program accredited by ACNM Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME)

o   Verification by program director of completion of education program, and have an active registered nurse (RN) license

o   Clinical education must occur under the supervision of an AMCB-certified CNM/CM or Advanced Practice RN (APRN) who holds a graduate degree and has clinical expertise and didactic knowledge commensurate with content taught.

In order to be eligible to become a certified midwife, the candidate must have

o   Graduated from a midwifery education program accredited by ACNM Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME)

o   Verification by program director of completion of education program

o   Clinical education must occur under the supervision of an AMCB-certified CNM/CM or Advanced Practice RN (APRN) who holds a graduate degree and has clinical expertise and didactic knowledge commensurate with content taught.

Clinical Experience Requirements include:

o   Attainment of clinical skills must meet Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Education (ACNM 2008).

o   Clinical skills include management of primary care for women throughout the lifespan, including reproductive health care, pregnancy, and birth; care of the normal newborn; and management of sexually transmitted infections in male partners

Certification Fees include an Examination Fee for the National Certification Examination of $500

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The American Midwifery Certification Board is the gold standard in midwifery and nurse-midwifery certification. Other certifying bodies do not ensure the same level of experience and educational standards and requirements. While state licensure provides the legal basis for practice, most states require AMCB certification for licensure, and many institutions require AMCB certification to grant practice privileges.

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Why AMBC is important to the hospital organization and or practice? 

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Why AMBC is important to the hospital organization and or practice? 

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Certification by the AMCB assures patients that you have met accepted national standards in midwifery care, and that you are committed to ongoing learning in your field. Midwives practicing in unregulated states have no legal, regulatory protection unless certified by the AMCB.

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What are some slight differences, if any, between the midwifery credentials?

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What are some slight differences, if any, between the midwifery credentials?

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The Certified Nurse-Midwife requires an active RN license and a graduate degree. Whereas the Certified Midwife requires only that you graduate from an accredited midwifery program.