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Credentialing Old

The Pursuit of Excellence

Accreditation of Facilities

While accreditation is a voluntary process, it is an important way for correctional facilities to distinguish themselves and demonstrate a commitment to providing high-quality health care to incarcerated individuals. NCCHC accreditation helps correctional facilities fulfill their duty to provide adequate health care to incarcerated individuals, protect against legal challenges, and contribute to a safer and more accountable correctional environment.

The National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC), established in 1978, is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the quality of health care provided to individuals in jails, prisons, and juvenile detention facilities. This is accomplished primarily through nationally recognized standards for correctional health care, education, certification of individuals, and accreditation of facilities. The benefits of accreditation are numerous:

Improved Health Care Standards

NCCHC accreditation ensures correctional facilities comply with health care standards and guidelines developed by experts in various disciplines, covering medical, mental health, and operational aspects. This accreditation is crucial for improving patient care and outcomes within incarcerated populations. Patient safety is prioritized through best practices in infection control, medication administration, and medical procedures, reducing the risk of errors and adverse events. Standards act as benchmarks for quality, facilitate interoperability in health information technology, streamline administrative processes, address healthcare disparities, and ultimately serve as the foundation for effective, patient-centered, and evidence-based care in correctional settings.

Enhanced Safety

Accreditation contributes to a safer environment in correctional facilities through various measures, including health care standards, legal compliance, quality assurance, and professional development. Emphasizing access to care ensures prompt medical attention, preventing minor health issues from escalating and reducing the risk of complications. Proper medical attention for incarcerated individuals decreases the likelihood of violent behavior resulting from untreated health issues. Accredited facilities implement infection control measures to prevent the spread of illnesses among the incarcerated population and staff. Standards also cover mental health services, identifying and addressing issues that may lead to disruptive or violent behavior, while medication management ensures the correct and safe use of medications, preventing adverse reactions and misuse.

Legal Compliance

We recognize accreditation helps facilities comply with legal and regulatory requirements for inmate health care. Accredited facilities have undergone a rigorous evaluation by an independent, third-party organization that can be viewed as evidence of commitment to providing quality health care services in compliance with all legal requirements and federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Adherence to the NCCHC Standards reduces the risk of lawsuits and legal challenges related to inadequate medical care. In the event of a legal challenge, having NCCHC accreditation can be a valuable asset as it demonstrates a commitment to providing a higher standard of care, which can be used to defend against claims of inadequate or negligent care.

Public Accountability

Accreditation signifies a commitment to transparency and accountability, indicating active efforts to meet recognized health care standards. The process involves independent assessments by impartial health care professionals, ensuring compliance with established guidelines. This objective standard reduces potential bias, and facilities adhering to NCCHC standards demonstrate their commitment to quality care. Quality assurance and continuous improvement hold facilities accountable for addressing deficiencies and enhancing care quality. Accreditation status, usually publicly disclosed through official reports or announcements, fosters accountability by enabling verification of a facility’s dedication to providing quality health care. This transparency builds trust with concerned individuals, advocacy groups, and the community, promoting a collaborative approach to ensuring and maintaining high standards of health care.

Quality Assurance

Quality assurance is a systematic process designed to ensure health care services consistently meet established quality standards, requirements, and expectations. It focuses on preventing errors and deficiencies rather than detecting and correcting them after they occur. Accreditation provides a structured framework for continuous quality improvement that leads to better patient care. Health care providers regularly review and evaluate their services, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes to enhance patient care. Risks are mitigated by adherence to the standards. Health care staff are required to meet specific education and training requirements, ensuring they are knowledgeable and skilled in the delivery of care.

Reduction in Health Care Costs

By implementing best practices and prioritizing preventative care, our accredited facilities have successfully reduced the overall cost of health care delivery, benefiting both the facility and taxpayers through increased efficiency and decreased expenses. Additionally, the demonstrated success in cost reduction and efficient resource utilization serves as valuable justification for budget requests, showcasing the positive impact of accreditation on fiscal responsibility and the prudent use of financial resources within the correctional facility.

Employee Certification, Education, and Training

The NCCHC offers the Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP, CCHP-RN, CCHP-CP, CCHP-MH, CCHP-A) certifications. These certifications are designed for health care professionals including clinical providers, nursing, behavioral health, administrative staff, and leadership, and validate the expertise and knowledge of individuals in correctional health care. It covers various aspects such as clinical patient care, medical administration, legal and ethical considerations, and operational aspects specific to providing healthcare within a correctional environment. Holding these certifications demonstrates a commitment to excellence in providing health care services within the unique context of correctional facilities.

All employees are required to complete first aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer and renew certification prior to expiration. Providers are also required to complete ACLS (advanced cardiac life-support) and renew certification prior to expiration. Additionally, PrimeCare Medical has developed an extensive education program and staff development for all medical, behavioral health, and administrative personnel. Monthly and annual training include Relias modules, Teams presentations, and seminars.

PrimeCare Medical strongly advocates for continuing education and professional development of our employees, offering reimbursement for tuition and professional training.

Make a Difference

Send your resumé to employment@primecaremedical.com or call 800-245-7277 and ask to speak with a recruiter.