CMS issues initial approval for CIHQ accreditation program

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last week announced its initial approval of the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ) as a national accrediting organization for acute care hospitals that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. CIHQ focuses largely on acute care and critical-access hospitals. It joins the ranks of DNV, Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program, and The Joint Commission as a national accrediting organization with CMS-deeming authority.

CIHQ, based in Round Rock, Texas, was established in 1999 as a healthcare consulting company for accreditation and regulatory support, and began to transition into an accrediting organization in 2011. It formally requested deeming authority from CMS in February 2013. CIHQ uses CMS’ Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for its regulatory standards as well as its own requirements covering “gaps in the CoPs in the areas of patient safety and quality care,” according to the company’s website. CIHQ’s deeming authority is effective July 26, 2013 through July 26, 2017, according to CMS.

Source: Federal Register, CIHQ