Why Accreditation Maintenance Between Surveys Matters

Obtaining accreditation is a significant milestone for a senior living community. This achievement demonstrates a commitment to quality, safety, and resident-centered care. Accreditation is not a one-time event; it is an ongoing continuous quality improvement journey. The real value of the achievement of accreditation comes in maintaining the standards every day rather than just preparing when a survey is on the horizon.

Why Maintenance Matters

Providers that actively maintain their accreditation standards can see measurable benefits including:

• Consistent Quality: Standards become part of daily practice, reducing variation in care.

• Staff Confidence: Regular reinforcement ensures team members know what’s expected.

• Survey Readiness: Continuous compliance means you won’t need to scramble when the next survey is announced.

• Resident and Family Trust: Families can see and feel the difference in a community that lives its values, not just advertises them.

  
  

Examples of Accreditation Maintenance Activities

Here are specific ways accredited senior living providers stay survey-ready and quality-focused between visits:

1. Mock Survey Audits

   Conduct internal reviews using the same framework as the standard expectations as well as incorporating the requirements of new standards. Rotate departments being reviewed to keep an interdisciplinary focus.

   
   

2. Policy & Procedure Refresh

   Set a calendar to review policies annually. When regulations change or best practices evolve, update documents promptly so they reflect current expectations.

   
   

3. Ongoing Staff Education

   Incorporate accreditation topics into orientation and monthly in-services to ensure that compliance is second nature.

   
   

4. Resident and Family Feedback Loops

   Accreditation emphasizes person-centered care. Regularly collect feedback, track trends, and show staff how these insights lead to meaningful changes.

   
   

5. Performance Improvement Projects

   Choose one or two measurable goals each year and track your progress. Documenting outcomes not only improves care but also provides evidence during surveys.

   
   

6. Leadership Rounds

   Weekly leadership walk-throughs, with a focus on safety and service, keep leadership engaged and visible. These rounds can double as informal compliance checks.

Positioning For a Successful Resurvey

Accreditation maintenance isn’t about paperwork; it’s about creating a culture of excellence that benefits residents, staff, and the community. By embedding standards into everyday operations, senior living providers move beyond the “passing a survey” approach to delivering consistent, high-quality care year after year.

Would your team benefit from partnering with Achieve Accreditation to work smart you’re your  reaccreditation survey efforts? Contact us to learn more about how Achieve Accreditation can make this process less stressful for your team. Visit us at www.achieveaccreditation.com.