How Accreditations Benefit Patients and Partners
Accreditation is a method by which an organization uses third party reviewers to audit its operational processes to ensure they are delivering healthcare in a manner consistent with an established set of standards. Accreditation demonstrates a commitment to quality and ongoing improvement.
“Accreditation is important as it demonstrates to our patients, providers, payer and pharma partners that AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy has been evaluated by external organizations and has met the high standards set by accreditation agencies for patient care,” says Rick Miller, MS Pharm, MBA, BS Pharm, CSP, vice president, clinical and professional services.
“A key component to the accreditation process is the commitment by the organization to patient care and employee training and development. At AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy, we are focused on continual process improvement and employee training and development to meet or exceed the expectations of our patients and business partners. Accreditation validates that commitment,” he says.
AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy currently holds the following accreditations:
Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) Specialty Pharmacy Services – ACHC Accreditation Programs were created in consultation with industry experts to ensure relevance, value and integrity, and the best in customer service. ACHC surveyors use an educational approach to help organizations enhance the quality of services they provide and improve operational efficiencies.
Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) Distinctions, Oncology and Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs (R/O) – These additional distinctions encompass the delivery of comprehensive care for cancer patients (oncology) and specific processes and procedures necessary to dispense medications for rare diseases including patient management, employee education, and medication handling and dispensing (R/O). Newly awarded to AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy on December 6, 2022.
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Specialty Pharmacy Accreditations – This accreditation is for those pharmacies providing advanced level of service in disease management for patients taking medications that require special handling, storage, and distribution requirements. Focusing on quality and safety. Newly awarded to AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy on August 17, 2022.
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Digital Pharmacy Accreditation for Specialty and Mail Service – This accreditation proudly displays our ongoing commitment to providing quality healthcare and safe pharmacy practices over the internet.
URAC Specialty and Mail Service Pharmacy Accreditation – URAC is an independent, nonprofit accreditation organization committed to improving the quality of the healthcare industry. They use evidence-based measures and develop standards to promote best practices, encourage quality improvement, and protect and empower consumers.
The Process of Becoming Accredited
To obtain accreditation, pharmacies like AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy may undergo a desktop review of standard operating procedures, as well as an onsite validation review/survey or virtual survey. However, the accreditation process begins long before the surveyors arrive. Each accrediting agency provides a set of quality standards necessary to achieve accreditation. A committee of experts representing diverse interests in the healthcare community continually develop new standards and guides for organizations to follow.
Using the standards as a guide, organizations prepare internally to make sure its various areas meet or exceed the industry standards set forth by the agency. The accreditation process can take from six months to a year, and accreditation lasts for usually three years, depending on the accrediting body. Once accreditation is achieved, pharmacies must demonstrate ongoing compliance to the standards.
How Patients Benefit from Accreditation
Requirements vary per accreditation agency, but the intent remains the same: to prove the organization’s commitment to meeting accreditation standards results in a higher level of performance and a greater focus on patient care.
At AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy, achieving accreditation supports our purpose to provide hope and care for better tomorrows by upholding quality of care to our patients. Providing the best possible care for our patients is ultimately why we do this.