FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program Receives Renewed Authority to Accredit Hospitals

(CHICAGO) - The Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) received continued approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) [PDF, 202KB] to accredit hospitals under Medicare. The extension of this deeming authority is effective through Sept. 25, 2013.

"The government's continued recognition of HFAP is the culmination of a rigorous process of reviews of our policies and procedures, an onsite visit by federal officials, and scrutiny of actual hospital inspection records," said Michael Zarski, CEO of HFAP. "What this means to patients and health care consumers," according to Zarski, "is the assurance that any facility accredited by HFAP meets or exceeds quality and safety standards set by CMS".

HFAP is one of three voluntary accreditation programs in the United States that CMS authorizes to survey hospitals under Medicare. Hospitals accredited by HFAP are deemed to comply with the Medicare Conditions of Participation for Hospitals as published by CMS.

A non-profit, nationally recognized accreditation organization, HFAP has been accrediting healthcare facilities for more than 60 years and under Medicare since its inception. Its mission is to advance high-quality patient care and safety through objective application of recognized standards.