AdvaCare Home Services, Inc. Named Quality Respiratory Care Provider

AdvaCare Home Services has been named a quality respiratory care provider under a new program aimed at making sure residents cared for by home care organizations have access to respiratory care services provided by qualified respiratory therapists.

The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) started the Quality Respiratory Care Recognitions (QRCR) program in 2003 to help consumers make informed choices about their health care.  The program initially enrolled hospitals that agreed to ensure patient safety by adhering to a strict set of criteria governing their respiratory care services.  Home care organizations were added to the program a year later, and the Association has also added long-term care facilities.

Recognized organizations are listed on the AARC’s consumer web site, YourLungHealth.org.

To qualify for the recognition, AdvaCare Home Services met the following conditions:

  • All respiratory therapists employed by the DME/Home Health Agency to deliver home respiratory therapy services are either legally recognized by the state as competent to provide respiratory therapy services or hold the CRT or RRT credential.
  • Respiratory therapists are available to patients 24 hours every day.
  • Other personnel qualified to perform specific respiratory therapy procedures, and the amount of supervision required for them to perform these specific procedures, must be designated in writing.
  • The DME/Home Health Agency must be accredited by a nationally recognized, third party accreditation organization.

The AARC’s QRCR program grew out of growing concerns among health care leaders and the general public regarding the safety and quality of health care services provided to patients.  Organizations that meet the QRCR requirements provide a level of respiratory care consistent with national standards and guidelines, and should be commended for their commitment to quality care.

Respiratory Therapists (RTs) are specially trained and licensed respiratory health care professionals assisting physicians in diagnosis, treatment, and management of respiratory diseases.  RTs provide care in hospitals, outpatient centers, physicians’ offices, skilled nursing facilities, and patients’ homes.

Please note:  The full list of QRCR facilities will be posted on the website by April 15, 2012

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