The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in late November granted the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) authority to accredit durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS). The designation means that DMEPOS suppliers accredited by the JCAHO meet Medicare requirements which include the recently published Quality Standards.
Maryanne Popovich, RN, executive director, Home Care Accreditation Program, JCAHO, said that its accreditation process "sharpens the focus on continuous improvement of a supplier's operational systems to provide safe, quality services and prevent errors.
The JCAHO's longstanding experience in providing quality oversight is essential to DMEPOS providers in meeting the healthcare needs of America's citizens and, specifically, Medicare beneficiaries of durable medical equipment, orthotics, prosthetics and other supplies."
JCAHO accredits nearly 3,500 organizations under its Home Care Program, which includes around 1,400 home medical equipment suppliers.
The primary Home Medical Equipment services accredited are:
- DME, hospital beds, wheelchairs, lift chairs
- Oxygen delivery systems, CPAP, Bi-PAP, ventilators
- Diabetic supplies
- Ambulatory aids, canes, crutches, walkers
- Orthotics and prosthetics