Hospice of Scotland County has earned renewal of its accreditation status for hospice services with the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc.

The renewal, valid through July 2013, demonstrates Hospice of Scotland County’s success in achieving excellence in both the quality of patient care and agency operations, agency officials said.

“We are proud to have earned accreditation renewal with ACHC,” said Jane Murray, executive director of Hospice of Scotland County. “Most importantly, accreditation gives the public assurance that our agency is committed to not only meeting, but exceeding, nationally recognized standards for hospice care. Accreditation is also a growth opportunity for our staff, identifying areas for more efficient practices and enhanced patient care.”

As part of the voluntary accreditation process, healthcare agencies submit to peer review of internal policies, processes and patient care against national standards. ACHC representatives visited Hospice of Scotland County in May for a four-day site visit, interviewing staff and patients, making home visits with nurses and hospice aides, and reviewing patient charts and business records.

“Although all hospice providers need to receive state authorization, national accreditation from ACHC is voluntary," Dr. Bill Loftus, Hospice board chairman, said, "Because it is so difficult to achieve, very few hospice agencies have national accreditation. So Hospice of Scotland County is especially proud of this accomplishment. We didn’t have to do this. But we did it because we want to hold ourselves to the highest national standards of excellence in the care we provide, and in the way the agency is managed.”

The commission, a private, not-for-profit corporation, was developed by home care and community-based providers to help health care agencies enhance the quality of patient care and improve business operations.

ACHC has deeming authority for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, ensuring that groups with ACHC accreditation meet or exceed all Medicare and Medicaid certification standards.

Founded in 1985, Hospice of Scotland County is a not-for-profit agency that serves residents of Scotland, Richmond, Robeson and Hoke counties in North Carolina, and Marlboro, Dillon and Chesterfield counties in South Carolina. Hospice of Scotland County operates offices in Laurinburg, and Bennettsville, SC.

Hospice of Scotland County provides care in a variety of settings, including Morrison Manor, the agency’s 12-bed facility in Laurinburg. Morrison Manor opened in 2005 and offers 24-hour clinical care for hospice patients in comfortable, state-of-the-art bedroom suites.

The manor offers residential level care, similar to what patients receive in their own home, and general inpatient care, for patients who require more intensive, skilled nursing care and symptom management. Hospice of Scotland County also cares for patients in their homes, in long term care facilities and in hospitals.

Hospice of Scotland County helps patients and families face the end of life by using a team approach to care.