Rehabilitation in home care: new Joint Commission accrediting standards

The Joint Commission's new set of rehabilitation standards is applicable only if the organization provides rehabilitation services as described in their scope of service. Admission to home care services requires an assessment of the patient's functional status that may in turn lead to the need for referral for rehabilitation services. A thorough review of the standards integrating the information in this article can help home care managers to understand and comply with the rehabilitation standard and identify how a surveyor may review an agency for compliance. These new standards can guide organizations in providing the quality oversight necessary to achieve goals that reflect positive patient outcomes.