Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program
Encyclopedia
The Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP), is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping healthcare organizations maintain the highest standards in patient care and comply with ever-changing government regulations and a constantly evolving healthcare environment.
Headquartered in Chicago
, HFAP is a nationally recognized accreditation
organization with deeming authority from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS).
HFAP provides accreditation programs for hospitals, clinical laboratories, ambulatory surgical centers / office based surgery (OBS), and critical access hospitals. In addition, HFAP accredits mental health and physical rehabilitation facilities and provides certification for primary stroke centers.
decided that accredited hospitals would be deemed to meet the conditions of participation and thus could automatically participate in the newly established Medicare
and Medicaid
programs. HFPA quickly applied for and was granted deeming status.
Headquartered in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, HFAP is a nationally recognized accreditation
Accreditation
Accreditation is a process in which certification of competency, authority, or credibility is presented.Organizations that issue credentials or certify third parties against official standards are themselves formally accredited by accreditation bodies ; hence they are sometimes known as "accredited...
organization with deeming authority from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services , previously known as the Health Care Financing Administration , is a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services that administers the Medicare program and works in partnership with state governments to administer...
(CMS).
HFAP provides accreditation programs for hospitals, clinical laboratories, ambulatory surgical centers / office based surgery (OBS), and critical access hospitals. In addition, HFAP accredits mental health and physical rehabilitation facilities and provides certification for primary stroke centers.
History
HFAP was conceived in 1943 and began surveying hospitals in 1945. Initially HFAP provided osteopathic hospitals with an opportunity to be accredited and to ensure that osteopathic residents received training in facilities providing high quality patient care. In the mid-1960s, the United States CongressUnited States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
decided that accredited hospitals would be deemed to meet the conditions of participation and thus could automatically participate in the newly established Medicare
Medicare (United States)
Medicare is a social insurance program administered by the United States government, providing health insurance coverage to people who are aged 65 and over; to those who are under 65 and are permanently physically disabled or who have a congenital physical disability; or to those who meet other...
and Medicaid
Medicaid
Medicaid is the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent...
programs. HFPA quickly applied for and was granted deeming status.