Question

Free clinics!

Hello class,

According to Alkhenizan & Shaw, “Accreditation is usually a voluntary program in which trained external peer reviewers evaluate a health care organization's compliance and compare it with pre-established performance standards (Alkhenizan & Shaw, 2011).” In the United States, the health care system remains a very controversial topic for numerous reasons. One of the major concerns is the delivery and quality of care and how it is achieved. All individuals who seek medical care deserve to receive the best care possible. When there is a lack of good quality of care, there is a problem or concern in the delivery of care process. It is critical for the necessary steps to be taken to improve medical practices and achieve a good quality of care for the well-being of the patients and the integrity of the medical organization who serve those patients.

Some free clinics are seeking accreditation; from you research, do you believe that accreditation is appropriate for free clinics? Why or why not? Do you know of any accredited free clinics?

Answer 1

Accreditation for free clinics is appropriate for the following reasons:

1. It gives the free clinics credibility with their donors and state grantors.

2. It also ensures patient protection, by enhancing the quality of care.

3. It makes the free clinics a better community partner.

4. It improves operations by ensuring a high standard of record-keeping, a high standard of employee or volunteer credentialing.

Examples: The Lake Norman Community Health Clinic received accreditation from the North Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NCAFCC).

Community care Clinic received accreditation from the North Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NCAFCC).

The Charlottesville Free Clinic received accreditation from the Virginia Association of free clinics.