By Healthcare Facilities Today

The Joint Commission now offers Voluntary Primary Care Medical Home (PCMH) certification for hospitals and critical access hospitals. This is an add-on certification to standard accreditation.

The PCMH certification option is for hospitals that have ambulatory care services that include primary care services by a primary care clinician, says the Joint Commission. In addition to standard accreditation requirements, hospitals must meet "standards that address human resources, leadership, medication management, provision of care, performance improvement, record of care, and patient rights and responsibilities" in order to qualify for PCMH certification.

Surveys for PCMH certification can be coordinated with regular certification surveys or take place on their own. They add at least one day to the survey process and are fee-based.

PCMH certification has been available for ambulatory care organizations since 2011.

Go to www.jointcommission.org for more information.