Freeport, Ill.-based Freeport Home Medical Equipment (FHME) has been awarded The Joint Commission’s Home Care Accreditation Program’s coveted Gold Seal of Approval for health care quality and safety. The designation demonstrates that FHME is committed to providing the best care to their patients, staff, and the communities they serve.
“We earned our first accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. in 2007,” said FHME President Carolyn Sluiter, “before it was mandated by Medicare, and we have continued to maintain their credential. This term I elected to go through the Joint Commission’s survey process in order to gain their Gold Seal of Approval, which is more widely recognized by the general public.”
FHME employs two licensed Respiratory Care Practitioners on staff, as well as two licensed mastectomy fitters, and is the largest mastectomy boutique in northwest Illinois. Additional staff members are certified to fit and deliver a variety of specialty medical equipment and supplies ranging from wound care and urological supplies, compression wear, and mobility devices to lift chairs, ramps, bath and bedroom safety items, and aids to daily living. The provider also rents and repairs equipment, and accepts assignment for most covered products for many forms of insurance.
To earn and maintain the Joint Commission’s accreditation, a provider such as FHME must undergo and pass an on-site survey by a Joint Commission surveyor. The objective of the survey is to evaluate the organization and provide education and guidance that will help the staff continue to improve the homecare organization’s performance. The survey process focuses on evaluating care processes by tracing patients through the care, treatment, and services they receive. In addition to these patient surveyors conduct systems “tracers” to analyze key operational systems that directly impact the quality and safety of patient care.