Hospice of Scotland County has earned renewal of its accreditation status for hospice services with ACHC, the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. The renewal, which is valid for through July 2013, demonstrates Hospice of Scotland County’s success in achieving excellence in both the quality of patient care and agency operations.

“We are proud to have earned accreditation renewal with ACHC,” says Jane Murray, Executive Director of Hospice of Scotland County. “Most importantly, accreditation gives the public assurance that our agency is committed to not only meeting, but exceeding, nationally recognized standards for hospice care. Accreditation is also a growth opportunity for our staff, identifying areas for more efficient practices and enhanced patient care.”

As part of the voluntary accreditation process, healthcare agencies submit to peer review of their internal policies, processes and patient care against national standards. Two ACHC representatives visited Hospice of Scotland County in May for a four-day site visit, interviewing staff and patients, making home visits with nurses and hospice aides, and reviewing patient charts and business records to ensure the agency’s compliance with ACHC’s high standards.

Dr. Bill Loftus, Hospice Board Chair, said, “Although all hospice providers need to receive state authorization, national accreditation from ACHC is voluntary. Because it is so difficult to achieve, very few hospice agencies have national accreditation. So Hospice of Scotland County is especially proud of this accomplishment. We didn’t have to do this. But we did it because we want to hold ourselves to the highest national standards of excellence in the care we provide, and in the way the agency is managed.”

ACHC, a private, not-for-profit corporation, was developed by home care and community-based providers to help health care agencies enhance the quality of patient care and improve business operations. ACHC has deeming authority for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, ensuring that groups with ACHC accreditation meet or exceed all Medicare and Medicaid certification standards.

Founded in 1985, Hospice of Scotland County is a not-for-profit agency committed to high quality, compassionate and comprehensive end-of-life care for patients and their families. The agency serves residents of Scotland, Richmond, Robeson and Hoke counties in North Carolina, and Marlboro, Dillon and Chesterfield counties in South Carolina. Hospice of Scotland County operates offices in Laurinburg, NC and Bennettsville, SC.

Hospice of Scotland County provides care in a variety of settings, including Morrison Manor, the agency’s 12-bed facility in Laurinburg. Morrison Manor opened in 2005 and offers 24-hour clinical care for hospice patients in comfortable, state-of-the-art bedroom suites. The manor offers residential level care, similar to what patients receive in their own home, and general inpatient care, for patients who require more intensive, skilled nursing care and symptom management. Hospice of Scotland County also cares for patients in their homes, in long term care facilities and in hospitals.

Hospice of Scotland County helps patients and families face the end of life by using a team approach to care. Medical Director Brad Bethel, M.D., and South Carolina Medical Director Mohamed Noormohideen, M.D., lead teams that include nurses, hospice aides, social workers, chaplain, bereavement counselors and volunteers to develop an individualized plan of care for each patient. In addition to meeting the medical needs of the patient, the Hospice team’s care addresses the emotional, social and spiritual needs of the patient and family.

Most programs are offered free of charge.

For more information about the service and programs provided by Hospice of Scotland County, call (910) 276-7176, or toll-free at (877) 276-7176.