Certification is a mark of distinction for hospitals that improve outcomes for diabetes inpatients.
The Joint Commission issues certificates of distinction for inpatient diabetes care to hospitals that improve outcomes for diabetic patients. Jointly developed in 2006 by the Joint Commission and the American Diabetes Association (ADA), certification recognizes health care facilities with successful inpatient diabetes programs. The certification requirements are closely linked with commission's standards and the ADA's clinical practice recommendations. Reviewing these resources is the first step toward inpatient diabetes certification.
Staff Criteria
Diabetes inpatient certification's require that staff members be educated in diabetes management procedures to allow them to perform tasks knowledgeably and successfully. Staff members must know monitor blood sugar according to written blood monitoring protocols, effectively treat high and low blood sugar, collect hypoglycemic data and provide instruction programs for patients to self-manage. Staff members must have good leadership and communication skills.
Program Measurement
The hospital must meet diabetes program management standards, including designing and implementing diabetes programs, defining leadership roles, making programs relevant to patients, running diabetes programs ethically and ensuring patients have reasonable access to good care.
Care Measurement
Delivering care is another area of criteria, which involves using competent, qualified staff, an evidence-based approach to care and individualizing care plans. Under self-management standards, hospitals must assess and support patients' ability to care for themselves, involve them in developing a personal care plan and educate them on manage diabetes.
Systems Measurement
Standards also cover clinical information management, which involves coordinating with a community of providers who will help diabetic patients, while maintaining confidentiality and upholding privacy rules. Performance measurement standards deal with how a hospital collects data and evaluates the management and outcomes of its diabetes programs.
Appying for Certification
After becoming familiar with the commission's certification standards, a hospital seeking Inpatient Diabetes Certification should conduct a self-assessment of internal policies, practices and protocols to identify existing areas of compliance with certification standards and make changes where needed. To apply, the hospital must request a logon identification from the commission's website and complete the online application form.
Replays of audio conferences offering technical assistance on the application process are available for review online. The application includes scheduling a comprehensive on-site review. Reviewers provide preliminary findings the same day as the review, which might include recommendations for needed changes to qualify for certification--60 days are allowed to implement changes, after which certification may be awarded.
Tags: diabetes programs, Joint Commission, blood sugar, certification standards, Diabetes Certification
