Patient Care Facility Accreditation Guide

Accreditation requires continuous compliance with the eligibility criteria, ABC Standards, policies and procedures, Scope of Practice, Code of Professional Responsibility, and timely submission of your accreditation application and accreditation fee. Certain changes to your facility may require additional steps to ensure continued compliance and to maintain your accreditation.

Facilities are required to notify ABC of all changes related to their accreditation within 30 days of the effective date of the change. All notifications must be submitted to accreditation@abcop.org.

Commonly Reported Changes and Required Next Steps:

Moving a Location

ABC must be notified within 30 days of changing your physical address.  For all location moves, submit an online application and pay applicable fees, and must conduct a survey at the new address.  Accreditation support contacts should notify ABC via email of the location move once the new address is open for business operations.

When notifying ABC, please include your facility's legal business name; former and current physical address (including city, state, and zip); as well as the effective date at the new location. Once ABC staff reviews your email, they will reach out if additional steps are needed.

Adding a Location

Accreditation is granted to each physical location and cannot be transferred to another facility or location. To obtain accreditation for an additional location, the new facility must submit an application and all applicable fees and successfully complete a survey at the new location.

To begin the application process, complete the Request ID form once the new location is open for business, meets all eligibility requirements, and is compliant with the applicable Standards. ABC staff will review the request and contact you once the online application has been created and is available for completion and submission.

Changing Corporate Structure

ABC must be notified within 30 days of changing corporate structure. If ownership is changed because of this structure change, a new application with fees and a survey will be required.

When notifying ABC, please include your facility's legal business name, physical address, city, state, and details of the corporate structure change, including any newly issued identifying numbers, the effective date, and legal and ownership information.  Once ABC staff reviews your email, they will reach out if they need additional information.

Adding Services or Products

ABC must be notified within 30 days of adding patient care services or a specific product category.  ABC can only issue accreditation for services currently being offered at the time of survey. Many new services and/or products added outside the current accreditation will require a new application with all applicable fees and a survey. However, your existing accreditation may include some product categories. You cannot add new product categories until the survey is completed and accreditation is granted. 

When notifying ABC, please include your facility's legal business name, physical address, city, state, and details of the specific product categories and services being provided.  Once ABC staff reviews your email, they will reach out if additional steps are needed.

Discontinuing a Service or Product(s)

ABC must be notified within 30 days of discontinuing patient care services or a specific product category. If the change affects accreditation programs, return the original certificate to ABC so it can issue an updated certificate.

When notifying ABC, please include your facility’s legal business name, physical address, city, state, and details on the specific product categories and services that are no longer being provided. Once ABC staff reviews your email, they will reach out if additional steps are needed.

Closing or Selling Your Facility

ABC must be notified within 30 days of the effective date of a facility closure or sale. Return the original certificate to ABC. A reopened facility must submit a new application and pay the required fees. Accreditation is not transferable to a new owner.

When notifying ABC, please include your facility's legal business name, physical address, city, state, and the effective closing date. Once ABC staff reviews your email, they will reach out if additional steps are needed.

Lawsuits and Disciplinary Actions

ABC must be notified within 30 days of notification of a pending lawsuit and/or disciplinary actions involving any staff members, accredited facilities and/or accreditation application.

When notifying ABC, please include your facility's legal business name, physical address, city, state, and a detailed written statement about he situation along with any supporting court documentation. Once ABC staff reviews your email, they will reach out if additional steps are needed.

Ownership Changes

ABC must be notified within 30 days of an ownership change (removing, adding, or completely changing ownership).  A complete change of ownership or addition of an owner requires the submission of another application. Removing an owner does not require a resurvey if an existing owner remains. 

When notifying ABC, please include your facility's legal business name, physical address, city, state, and the effective closing date of sale, former and current owner(s)' legal first and last name. Once ABC staff reviews your email, they will reach out if they need additional information.

Personnel Changes

ABC must be notified within 30 days when there is any change in employment/contractor status for certified and licensed personnel.  If a personnel change leaves the facility without the required qualifying professional,  the facility has a maximum of six months to replace that professional, subject to the stated conditions. During this time, the facility must still operate within the ABC Scope of Practice.

When notifying ABC, please include your facility's legal business name, physical address, city, state, and the legal first and last name of the individual whose employment/contractor status is in question, as well as the former and current owner(s)' legal first and last name(s). Once ABC staff reviews your email, they will reach out if they need additional information.