Selecting quality health care services for yourself, a relative or friend requires special thought and attention. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has prepared this information to assist you in making your selection. Knowing what to look for and what to ask will help you choose a facility that provides quality care and best meets your needs.
Behavioral health care services include substance abuse treatment services, community mental health centers, child/adolescent services, foster care services, adult mental health services and services for the mentally retarded/developmentally disabled. Organizations may provide these services in a variety of settings including inpatient, residential, outpatient, partial hospitalization or a combination of settings.
Begin by asking your physician, hospital discharge planner or community social service agency to recommend several conveniently located behavioral health care organizations. Visit each one and talk with the manager or other staff about the organization's services, policies, history and staff credentials. Then use the following questions to help you determine whether the organization meets your needs.
Questions to ask before choosing behavioral health care services
| | | About the Organization |
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| What is the organization's service philosophy? Ask about the nature and goals of the treatment programs, the hours during which services are available, what treatment or services are provided directly, and what services are referred to sources outside the organization. |
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| What emergency interventions are utilized in the organization and what is the organization's philosophy on its use? |
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| Is the staff well qualified with respect to the care it provides? Ask about staff credentials (education, training and licensure). |
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| Does the organization create an individualized treatment plan based on a complete assessment of emotional, behavioral & physical needs? The plan of care should be updated as the needs of the individual served change and should include the specific criteria to be met for the termination of care or services. |
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| Does the organization develop a discharge plan to ensure appropriate care is provided after the individual leaves the program? How does the organization choose the other programs or agencies to whom they refer for the provision of such care? |
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| Does the organization take time to explain the rights and responsibilities? Ask to see a copy of the organization's right and responsibilities information. |
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| Does the organization have a procedure for receiving and resolving complaints of the individual served and the family concerning the quality of care? Ask what the procedure is. |
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| Are the buildings and grounds suitable to the nature of the services provided and the age of persons served, (e.g., given age range or other characteristics)? Is there adequate space and ventilation? Is the facility clean? Does it provide a positive atmosphere? |
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| Is the organization accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting body such as the Joint Commission? Joint Commission accreditation means the organization voluntarily sought accreditation and met national health and safety standards. |
To find out if the behavioral health care organization you are considering is accredited by the Joint Commission, see Quality Check®. Quality Check, a comprehensive guide to all Joint Commission accredited health care organizations, includes an organization's name, address, telephone number, accreditation decision and accreditation date as well as Web site and e-mail links, if available.
Quality Check also provides performance reports that include information on the organization's overall performance level and how it compares to other organizations nationally in specific performance areas. If a report is not available on
Quality Check or you would like a printed copy, please call the Customer Service Center, (630) 792-5800.
For More Information
To learn more about the Joint Commission:
Customer Service Center, (630) 792-5800
To report information about accredited organizations:
Office of Quality Monitoring, (800) 994-6610 or complaint@jcaho.org.