A Comparative Overview of CHAP, ACHC, & The Joint Commission
Choosing an accreditation organization is a significant decision for any home care agency. With CHAP, ACHC, and The Joint Commission offering distinct approaches to accreditation, survey processes, standards, support, and organizational fit, agencies need to understand the differences before selecting a partner.
This webinar provides a practical, side-by-side look at three of the leading accreditation organizations and the factors agencies should consider when evaluating their options. Participants will explore differences in accreditation standards, survey methodology, preparation and support, costs and timelines, service-line considerations, and the potential impact of accreditation on compliance, quality, payer relationships, and organizational growth. The goal is not to identify a single “best” accreditor, but to help agency leaders determine which accreditation partner is the best fit for their organization’s size, services, goals, and resources.
What You'll Learn:
- Compare CHAP, ACHC, and The Joint Commission based on accreditation standards, survey processes, organizational approach, and provider support.
- Identify key factors to consider when selecting an accreditation partner, including service lines, organizational size, costs, timelines, and operational resources.
- Evaluate how each accreditor's approach may align with an agency's compliance, quality improvement, and growth objectives.
- Recognize important questions to ask before selecting an accreditation organization, including questions about survey preparation, ongoing support, documentation, and expectations.
- Develop a framework for determining which accreditation partner best fits their agency's unique needs and strategic goals.
Why You Need to Attend:
Accreditation is more than a checkbox - it can affect your agency's compliance strategy, operations, quality initiatives, and competitive position. Before committing your time and resources to an accreditation partner, this webinar will help you understand the differences between CHAP, ACHA, and The Joint Commission so you can make a more informed decision and select an organization that aligns with where your agency is today - and where you want it to go.
Featured Speakers
Teresa Harbour
Chief Operating Officer, CHAP
Teresa Harbour is the Chief Operating Officer and brings a tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience in the hospice and home health industries.
As a Registered Nurse with experiences as a Site Visitor and Hospice/Home Health Director, she understands the complexities of home health businesses and her goal is to ensure they utilize CHAP resources to warrant ongoing quality and compliance.
Harbour serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Home and Hospice Care of North Carolina and is a board member of the American College of Education Healthcare Department Advisory Board, the University of Louisville Healthcare Leadership Advisory Board, and IDEAL. She is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Harbour has an Associate Degree in nursing from Wytheville Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing from Winston-Salem State University, and a Master of Business Administration/Master of Health Administration from Pfeiffer University.
Kathy Valencia
Field Director Home Care, Accreditation and Certification Operations, Joint Commission
Kathy Valencia is currently a Field Director for the Home Care Accreditation Program in the Department of Accreditation and Certification Operations at Joint Commission. In this role, she provides guidance and support to Home Care Surveyors during the survey process and works closely with organizations during the post-survey process. Prior to this role, she served as a Joint Commission Home Care Nurse Surveyor where she provided support to new Surveyors in the field. She also received team leader and preceptor training, and infusion pharmacy education.
PrevIously, Ms. Valencia served in multiple roles including a Staff Nurse for Scioto Memorial Hospital; an Administrative Director Home Care Services at Bon Secours Kentucky (Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital); and an Emergency Room Nurse for Mercy Hospital. Ms. Valencia is a Certified Yellow Belt at The Joint Commission. With this designation, she supports Joint Commission’s activities associated with establishing and sustaining a Robust Process Improvement® (RPI®) culture. As a Certified Yellow Belt, she is trained in the foundational concepts and tools of problem-solving, and makes improvements to better meet customer expectations and organization objectives. She also received Black Belt training at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital. Ms. Valencia received her Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on nursing leadership from Bellarmine College and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ohio University’s Ironton Campus.
Lisa Meadows
Senior Manager Survey Operations, Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHA)
Lisa Meadows, MSW, brings more than 30 years of experience across the health care continuum, with extensive expertise in acute care, home health, hospice, and palliative care. She currently serves as Senior Manager of Survey Operations for the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), a nationally recognized nonprofit accreditation organization with CMS Deeming Authority for Home Health, Hospice, Home Infusion Therapy, DMEPOS, and Acute Care Hospitals.
In her role, Lisa leads efforts to provide in-depth clinical, accreditation, and industry education to ACHC customers and stakeholders. She also partners with health care providers to interpret ACHC Standards and Medicare Conditions of Participation, helping organizations achieve and maintain excellence in patient care and regulatory compliance.
Registration
Member - $50
Non-member $89
