Accreditations and certifications can mean the difference between a lousy treatment facility and an excellent center. Facilities are required to go through rigorous steps before they can become certified in addiction treatment. Consumers will have many options at their fingertips when it comes to deciding which services to use and where to go to use them, but accreditation should be one of the primary components they review when considering which place to attend.
The value of accreditation goes beyond a competitive distinction for service providers. Instead, such credentials show that the center has delved deep into the science of treating addiction and all that encompasses it. Many facilities nationwide have popped up as a result of the opioid epidemic, and many of these institutions have been fraudulent in seeking to scam a client’s insurance.
It has created a significant problem that had a ripple effect in the addiction treatment industry, but fortunately, there have been procedures implemented to ensure people choose the right treatment center.
Achieving accreditation requires a service provider to commit to their craft. They must focus on quality improvement, focus on the unique needs of each person the provider serves, and monitor the results of their services. These are set in place to ensure that the highest quality of care is achieved and that someone who commits themselves to those services is treated fairly.
When a treatment center is held to this standard, it requires their practitioners also to have equal qualifications when treating addiction. Many certifications are required to reach the full potential as a substance abuse counselor.
If you are a client, you want someone with these certifications to treat you. They will know the ins and outs of addiction treatment and be able to help you in ways that someone less informed on the topic can. Many people in this field have had their experiences with substance abuse and addiction themselves, so they can offer a different approach and empathize with the client on a more personal level.
Now that we have touched a little bit about the significance of accreditations and certifications, we will discuss which accreditations are the most valuable in the addiction treatment industry. Continue reading to learn more about what gives rehab centers an edge when comparing to other centers that may be less informed on the latest advances in addiction science.
The Joint Commission
The Joint Commission accreditation may be one of the most well regarded in this industry. There are several reasons why having a Joint Commission accreditation places you at the top of the industry. This accreditation allows the facility to help organize and strengthen patient safety efforts. An essential portion of any treatment center is patient safety and quality of care, and this is at the forefront of the Joint Commission’s standards and initiatives.
Strengthening community confidence in the quality and safety of care, treatment, and services are also at the forefront of what it offers. Achieving accreditation makes a strong statement that the facility is committed to ensuring only the highest quality of services are offered. The opinion of the community matters, and if you want to be respected, you must possess the certifications to prove you are different from the centers that are just trying to make an extra buck.
With so many centers across the U.S. to choose from, providing a competitive edge in your marketplace makes all the difference. The marketing advantage produces a competitive health care environment and improves the ability to secure new clients. When entities have to compete, it makes the quality of care increase across the board, allowing for several high-quality options.
Improving risk management and risk reduction is a standard the Joint Commission focuses on — state of the art performance improvement strategies that help health care organizations continuously improve the safety and quality of care and reduces the risk of error or low-quality care. Why does this matter?
If you have chosen the path of abstaining from drugs or alcohol, you don’t want to attend a treatment center that doesn’t have the tools needed to treat a delicate process like detox. Detox is potentially deadly and having the wrong people treat you can result in a fatality when you intend are to get sober and stray away from substance abuse.
As a treatment facility, unfortunate events do occur, and having these accreditations can reduce liability and lower cost of liability and insurance coverage. Due to the increased awareness, it allows these reductions to reflect in the overall cost to insurers.
Another critical factor is that it provides a customized, and intensive review. Joint Commission surveyors come from a variety of health care industries and are assigned to organizations that match their background. The standards are specific to each accreditation program and are relevant to the particular industry.
Insurance companies and third parties recognize these accreditations, and for some, have become a requisite to eligibility in managed care plans or contract bidding. Certification also involves providing a framework for organizational structure and management. There will be a high level of quality and compliance with the latest standards, and Joint Commission accreditation guides an organization’s quality improvement efforts.
LegitScript
LegitScript provides the only certification service for drug and alcohol addiction treatment providers to advertise online. Google and Facebook both rely on the service to vet advertisers to ensure their eligibility thoroughly. The service allows search engines that the facility operates within the guidelines set by LegitScript certifications. Rehab facilities that you may see advertising on the web can only do so if they’re LegitScript-certified. The facility can prove that it operates legitimately in its jurisdiction.
To obtain this certification, the treatment center must comply with all provisions of applicable laws. Websites like Facebook require these certifications, which is an essential step in stopping the reach of predatory drug and alcohol treatment providers who have used online advertising tactics as a means to acquire new clients. By doing this, it cleans up an industry that has been affected by fraudulent treatment centers that take advantage of people who are in dire need of treatment.
Quality Treatment
The primary objective of a quality treatment center is to ensure you, the client, receives the highest quality care possible. Accredited treatment centers strive to be the best not just for reputation purposes, but because their staff genuinely cares about your health. As mentioned earlier, many clinicians used to use addictive substances, so they understand what it takes on the path to abstain from alcohol and enter into recovery. It allows them to coach you in ways that someone who has never experienced addiction themselves simply cannot relate to. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, today may be the best day of your life to begin treatment.
