The Future of Health Care is in the Home

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a global public health emergency that presented an enormous number of unforeseen challenges – especially for the elderly and disabled, who found this time to be particularly difficult to access daily necessities, receive the adequate health care they require, and navigate the rapid changes in a continued state of uncertainty. It was also challenging for the family members of these at-risk individuals to provide support and comfort to their loved one(s) without running the risk of exposing them to the virus. For those receiving care at an assisted living community/nursing home or requiring in-person doctor visits, their probability of exposure was significantly higher.

The pandemic made it clear that the future of health care is in the home, where the most at-risk individuals are safer. Following this notion, it’s crucial that any health care organization you may partner with has the appropriate accreditations to provide high-quality care in the home.

The following position piece provided by BrightStar Care® explores how The Joint Commission, the largest not-for-profit accrediting organization, sets the standard for health care organizations to provide high-quality care and safety for their patients and highlights the importance of ensuring any potential home care partner your health care organization may work with has Joint Commission accreditation.

With Joint Commission accreditation, home health care agencies can identify where improvements are needed in their processes, receive expert support, access a wealth of resources, and follow a set of quality care standards that place patient safety in the highest regard, preventing hospital readmissions and adverse events from occurring. Overall, partnering with a home health care organization that holds this accreditation brings value to all parts of the health care system, from patients and families to providers.