1. Assess Readiness: Conduct a thorough assessment of your pharmacy’s readiness for long-term care at home accreditation. Evaluate current practices, policies, and procedures to identify areas for improvement and compliance with accreditation standards set by the Long-Term Care at Home Quality Commission. This includes aligning with key elements of the LTC pharmacy standards framework.
2. Educate Staff: Ensure that all pharmacy staff members are educated and trained on the accreditation standards set by the Long-Term Care at Home Quality Commission. Provide ongoing training and resources to keep staff informed.
3. Develop Policies and Procedures: Create comprehensive policies and procedures that align with the accreditation standards, covering all aspects of pharmacy operations related to long-term care at home services.
4. Implement Quality Improvement Measures: Establish quality improvement measures to monitor and enhance the quality of pharmacy services provided to long-term care at-home patients.
5. Ensure Compliance With Regulatory Requirements: Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements set by relevant regulatory bodies. Stay updated on any changes to regulations impacting long-term care at home pharmacy services.
6. Prepare Documentation: Prepare all necessary documentation for accreditation, including policies and procedures manuals, staff training records, and quality improvement plans
7. Conduct Mock Surveys: Conduct mock surveys or internal audits to assess readiness for accreditation, identifying gaps before the official accreditation survey.
8. Submit Application: Submit your accreditation application to the Long-Term Care at Home Quality Commission once confident in your pharmacy’s readiness, ensuring all required documentation is included.
9. Undergo Accreditation Survey: Prepare for and undergo the accreditation survey, demonstrating compliance with accreditation standards during the survey.
10. Address Survey Findings: Promptly address any findings identified during the survey, developing corrective action plans as needed.
11. Achieve Accreditation: Upon successful completion of the survey and resolution of deficiencies, your pharmacy will achieve accreditation. Celebrate this achievement and continue to uphold high standards in long-term care at home pharmacy services.
Long Term Care at Home Pharmacy Quality Commission™ (LTC@HPQC) Long Term Care at Home Pharmacy Accreditation™ Standards Overview
A pharmacy aiming for accreditation through LTC@HPQC standards must meet or exceed the standards outlined in the following key areas:
- Pharmacy Standards (Section PMCY): About all aspects of pharmacy operations.
- Contracting Standards (Section CTS): Applicable to pharmacies seeking reimbursement through state/federal/commercial prescription plans for dispensing medications to beneficiaries receiving long-term care.
- Long Term Care at Home Standards (Section LTCH): Relevant to pharmacies seeking accreditation for Long Term Care at Home Pharmacy services.
The standards outlined above are essential for applicants pursuing LTC@Home Pharmacy Quality Commission Long Term Care at Home Accreditation. This overview serves as a resource for pharmacies to reference as they prepare for the accreditation process.
Section PMCY: Pharmacy Standards
| PMCY. A | General | Topics Include: · Eligibility · Submission Review · Business Overview · Ownership · Services · Digital Presence · Ethics |
| PMCY. B | Licenses | Topics Include: · Federal Licenses · State Licenses · Other Credentials (As Applicable) |
| PMCY. C | Facility | Topics Include: · Retail/Combo/LTC requirements · Disaster Plan, Emergency Preparedness, & Recovery |
| PMCY. D | Personnel | Topics Include: · Contact/Responsible Person(s) · PIC · Organizational Structure · Personnel Qualifications · HR Management & Practices · Training |
| PMCY. E | Compliance | Topics Include: · General Compliance · State Board History · Record |
| PMCY. F | Product Procurement and Storage | Topics Include: · Wholesalers/Procurement Source · Controlled Substances · Hazardous Drugs · Inventory Management · Storage Conditions · Outdates/Returns/Damaged Process · Recall Process |
| PMCY. G | Dispensing and Delivery | Topics Include: · Dispensing Types · Manual and Automation · Shipping, handling, and delivery |
| PMCY. H | Quality Improvement | Topics Include: · Overview and Requirements |
| PMCY. I | Policies and Procedures | Topics Include: · Overview and Requirements |
Section CTS: Contracting Standards
| CTS. A | Medicaid Compliance | Topics Include: · Program Participation · Contracting/Licensing · Standards of Practice |
| CTS. B | Medicare (CMS) Compliance | Topics Include: · Program Participation · Contracting/Licensing · Standards of Practice |
| CTS. C | Payer/PSAO Compliance | Topics Include: · Contracting/Credentialling · Licensing |
| CTS. D | Compliance with Laws and Regulations | Topics Include: · Reporting · Patient Privacy |
| CTS. E | Personnel | Topics Include: · Staff Requirements |
| CTS. F | Prescription Processing | Topics Include: · Information Technology · Review of Prescription Order · Drug Use Review · REMS · Dispensing Procedures and Accuracy · Automation Procedures and Accuracy |
| CTS. G | Quality | Topics Include: · Clinical References · Outcome Measures · Incident Reporting System/Procedures · Adverse Event Management · Feedback |
Section LTCH: Long Term Care at Home Standards
| LTCH. A | General Requirements | Topics Include: · Pharmacy Qualifications · CMS LTC Standards of Practice Prerequisite · LTC@Home Champion CE |
| LTCH. B | Compliance, Plan of Care, and Ongoing Support | Topics Include: · CMS LTC Standards of Practice · Compliance Documentation · Initial Assessment · Ongoing Assessment · LTC-at-Home Service Documentation · LTC-at-Home Patient Qualification Attestation · LTC-at-Home Medication Acquisition Attestation · Monthly Medication Reconciliation Documentation · Medication Lists · Care Coordination · Care Plan · Ongoing monitoring and documentation · Compliance Packaging · Pharmacy Availability · Compounding/Infusion Availability · 24/7 Availability · eCAREPLAN Availability · Anti-Kickback Statutes · Additional Professional Services and Assessments |
| LTCH. C | Prescription Processing/Fulfillment | Topics Include: · Coding and Billing · Prescription Intake/Data Entry · Maintenance Medication Fulfillment · Ancillary Medication Fulfillment · Compliance Packaging · USP800 |
| LTCH. D | Patient Prescription Acquisition | Topics Include: · Delivery · Shipping · Pick-Up · Proof of Medication Acquisition |
| LTCH. E | Patient Management | Topics Include: · Pharmacy Management System · Record System · Patient & Caregiver Education & Counseling · Care Coordination · Patient/Provider Communication |
| LTCH. F | Quality | Topics Include: · Measures · Reporting |
| LTCH. G | Policies and Procedures | Topics Include: · Overview of Standards of Care · Education and Training of Staff |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
What is the purpose of long-term care at home pharmacy accreditation?
Accreditation for long-term care at home pharmacy services demonstrates that a pharmacy meets established quality and safety standards. It ensures consistent, compliant care for patients receiving medications and support in home-based settings.
How is a pharmacy assessed for readiness before applying for accreditation?
Readiness is determined through a comprehensive evaluation of current practices, policies, and procedures. This includes identifying gaps in compliance, ensuring staff knowledge of standards, and reviewing internal documentation aligned with accreditation criteria.
Why are mock surveys important in the accreditation process?
Mock surveys allow a pharmacy to identify potential deficiencies before undergoing the official accreditation survey. These internal audits simulate the formal evaluation, helping to strengthen areas that may not fully meet the required standards.
What types of policies and procedures are required for accreditation?
Required policies and procedures include those governing dispensing practices, patient safety, documentation, staff training, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. These documents must align with LTC@HPQC’s defined standards across multiple operational areas.
When should a pharmacy submit its accreditation application?
An application should be submitted only when the pharmacy has fully completed internal assessments, staff training, policy development, and mock evaluations and is confident in its readiness to demonstrate compliance during the formal survey.