If you operate a sleep study center, you already understand how important your work is in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. But as regulatory expectations and payer requirements evolve, achieving accreditation isn’t just a badge of honor; it’s almost a necessity. If you’re unclear on what’s involved in earning that accreditation, we’re here to walk you through it.
Why Accreditation Matters in Sleep Medicine
Many sleep centers seek accreditation to meet insurance requirements, especially when billing Medicare or Medicaid. In some states, accreditation is a requirement for licensure or continued operation. Beyond that, it’s a way to demonstrate a commitment to best practices, patient safety, and high-quality care.
Accreditation also sets your facility apart from others. It sends a message to patients, providers, and payers that your sleep studies are bring conducted under strict clinical guidelines, with trained professionals and up-to-date equipment.
Key Standards You’ll Need to Meet
To receive accreditation, you center must meet specific standards set by recognized accrediting bodies like ACHC, which offers you a discount when you add them as a strategic partner. Each body has its own detailed checklist, but most require a qualified and credential staff, including board-certified sleep specialists and registered polysomnographic technologists.
They’ll also require written policies and procedures covering patient intake, testing protocols, emergency response, data storage, and follow-up care. You’ll have to create quality assurance processes, such as routine chart reviews, equipment calibration, and continuous improvement tracking. Other requirements include properly maintained equipment and a safe environment that supports patient comfort and accurate monitoring,
Documentation is key. Accrediting bodies want to see that your practices are sound, and they’re consistently followed and reviewed.
The Accreditation Process
The process starts with reviewing the standards from your chosen accreditor. From there, you’ll need to align your operations with those standards, gather documentation, train staff, and often complete a mock survey. Once everything is in place, a site surveyor will visit to evaluate your facility and confirm compliance.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If accreditation is on the horizon for your sleep study, center, now is the time to get organized. With the right support and a bespoke approach, you can meet every requirement and come through the process with confidence. This journey can feel like a lot, but you don’t have to take it alone. Here at Expedited Accreditation, we specialize in helping sleep study centers like yours navigate every requirement, every policy update, and every step of the survey process. Contact us today at (971) 429-6379 to learn more about how we can help you from start to finish!
