CARF Accreditation: An Overview

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CARF, or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of health and human services. From child and youth to aging services to opioid treatment, these health and human services are available.

It is an accrediting body, which means a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities-accredited service provider has met the set of quality requirements in their business and service delivery methods.

CARF International creates a framework and then consults and advises health and human care organizations on improving the quality of their services. It has been an accrediting body since 1966 and has been an accepted accreditation provider for opioid treatment programs providing outpatient, inpatient, and detox treatments since 2001.

What is CARF?

How can you tell which communities are truly committed to giving the greatest care when considering senior care options? Look for one accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.

Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities is a nonprofit health and human services accreditor with an international reputation that conducts surveys of institutions that provide services ranging from rehabilitation to assisted living. In addition to completing necessary state and federal surveys, organizations can become Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities accredited.

An organization must demonstrate that they deliver great programs and services to meet the accreditation standards of care. An organization must maintain and improve its standards of care once recognized.

Accreditation process

After knowing what is CARF, let’s go through its accreditation process. Accreditation can be a lengthy process – 9-12 months for first-time applicants – but it reflects the facility's commitment to consistently improve the quality of services and programs delivered due to the time commitment.

It starts with a thorough internal review of the service provider's programs and business procedures. Then the commission sends a team of experts to the service provider's location to conduct an on-site survey. During the on-site survey, the service provider must demonstrate that it meets the requirements, which are stringent and internationally recognized by CARF International.

Following the on-site survey, the Commission provides the accredited service provider with a written report containing strengths and improvement areas. Throughout the accreditation process, the facility must keep the Commission up to date on the progress of the improvements, especially if the written report identifies areas for improvement.

What are the advantages of accreditation?

The organization and the people it serves can gain from adherence to the commission’s criteria. The accreditation is a catalyst for continual quality improvement for the organization. Commission surveyors take a consultative approach rather than an inspectional one. They provide their knowledge and the expertise of similar organizations in promoting industry quality.

People served to play an active role in the accreditation process

CARF-accredited organizations now employ all Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities surveyors. Choosing a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities-accredited program or service can give consumers confidence that a company is customer-focused and adheres to international service delivery standards.

The commission emphasizes the delivery of person-centered services. From contributing to creating worldwide performance criteria to providing feedback on the quality of services they get, people served to play an active and crucial role in the accreditation process. 

Providers who are accredited demonstrate their belief that all people have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, to have access to needed services that produce the best results, and to be able to make informed decisions.

Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities CARF accreditation implies that service or program has undergone an in-depth examination of its services and proven considerable compliance to the commission’s requirements during an on-site survey. The service or program has shown a dedication to providing high-quality services tailored to the client's unique skills, talents, requirements, and preferences.

To Conclude:

CARF is a non-profit organization. CARF International, founded in 1966, is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of behavioral health, child and youth services, opioid treatment programs, aging services, durable medical equipment, etc.

During a consultative on-site survey, the commission aids providers in enhancing the quality of their services by applying sets of quality criteria. The accreditation benefits the organizations and benefits the people served by the organizations. Find more information about CARF at Advantage Medical Clinic.