After taking a three-day survey, and waiting for the final report for two months, Sound earned a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). The process began in January. Susie Winston, Chief Quality and Clinical Officer, and Mary Alice Hanken, Quality Improvement, and the team, prepared Sound for the three-day process. This process included numerous interviews, observations, and chart reviews by the CARF surveyors.
According to Winston, “It is like a white glove inspection.” It is a survey of everything from observations of client environments to how the clients are treated. The CARF manual itself has 25,000 individual standards which evaluate levels of performance. The “white glove inspection” consisted of meeting the staff members and the Board president where the surveyors reviewed 26 sections.
The surveyors reported that the stakeholders expressed respect, trust, and confidence in Sound’s leadership. CARF surveyors acknowledged that Sound had the one of the best accessibility plans, which includes Rapid Access to care. They also recognized Sound’s excellent outpatient facilities, clinical services and skilled clinicians. CARF surveyors also commented that Sound was among the top of health and human services organizations in the country. And, they identified Sound as an innovative leader in the community, with a strong commitment to quality and clinical excellence and advocacy for the persons served.
CARF accreditation is more than just recognition or a stamp of approval. It means that Sound’s leadership and staff stand firm on its core values and the implementation of Reaching Recovery for the community we serve and care about deeply. It also means that we are committed to accountability and delivering the best services.
To learn more about Reaching Recovery at Sound:
Visit https://www.sound.health/reaching-recovery-a-new-model-of-care-at-sound-mental-health/