7 Alaska Admin. Code § 70.160

Current through August 30, 2024

Section 7 AAC 70.160 - Alternative accreditation approval

(a) To request approval of an alternative accreditation under 7 AAC 70.150(a) (2) or (b)(1)(D), a behavioral health services provider must submit a written request to the department that includes the documentation necessary for the department to evaluate the alternative accreditation agency and that agency's accreditation process.

(b) At a minimum, an alternative accreditation agency

(1) must evaluate the behavioral health services provider's policies and procedures in areas of

(A) provider ethics;

(B) admissions;

(C) client rights;

(D) service delivery;

(E) medication management;

(F) infection control;

(G) performance measures and quality improvement;

(H) leadership and organizational structure;

(I) physical environment;

(J) human resources; and

(K) information systems management;

(2) must use standardized evaluation tools to evaluate the provider;

(3) must demonstrate a business practice that updates the accreditation agency's standards on a continuous basis to meet changes in industry standards;

(4) must assist the provider with maintaining or improving quality of care through a variety of technical assistance tools;

(5) must be capable of evaluating the provider's ability to safely and effectively provide behavioral health clinic services, behavioral health rehabilitation services, withdrawal management services, or residential substance use disorder services;

(6) must use independent evaluation of providers; and

(7) may not be affiliated directly or indirectly with a provider.

(c) The department will approve an alternative accreditation if

(1) the minimum standards in (b) of this section are met;

(2) the accreditation is appropriate for the behavioral health services provider's scope of practice; and

(3) the accreditation agency's accreditation standards meet or exceed the interim standards of operation under 7 AAC 70.200 - 7 AAC 70.260.

(d) The department will notify a behavioral health services provider in writing of its decision. A provider may appeal the department's decision under this section in accordance with AS 44.62.330-44.62.630.

7 AAC 70.160

Eff. 10/1/2011, Register 199; am 4/24/2020, Register 234, April 2020

Authority:AS 47.05.010

AS 47.30.470

AS 47.30.475

AS 47.30.477

AS 47.30.530

AS 47.30.540

AS 47.30.570

AS 47.37.140