Helpful
facts about The Commission, current goals and projects. The
Commission works on your behalf in many areas. Here is some
information about our current work:
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1. We are listed in The Christian Science Journal as
a contact for the public to find accredited facilities. The
Commission is recognized by The Mother Church as the accrediting
body for Christian Science nursing organizations. Accredited
facilities, training programs, and visiting Christian Science
nursing services are included in a list of organizations that
The Commission shares with the public.
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2. Accreditation by The Commission is a requirement of
many insurance companies for reimbursement for Christian
Science nursing services. Accreditation by The Commission
is specifically recognized in Christian Science policies/riders
for several insurance companies. (The Mother Church sent letters
to replace the wording in policies that referred to The Mother
Church's accreditation.)
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3. Inspections are supportive, professional, and based
on Principle. To be a benefit to your organization, accreditation
needs to represent strong, consistent, measurable standards.
Inspectors are prepared to approach their work with a supportive
attitude-ready to recognize the good being demonstrated. In
our inspectors' training we also emphasize the uniqueness
of each facility and that specific approaches may be different.
However, an inspection that is motivated by Principle must
also identify if there are areas needing improvement. A thorough
report is prepared by the inspectors with tools to assist
with the corrective process.
An important underlying purpose of the inspection is to ensure
that the Christian Science nursing care being given, and the
systems in the organization that support that care, are accountable,
represent high standards, and no fraud or abuse is taking
place. The combination of these elements in our approach reassures
third parties (i.e., government officials, insurance companies,
family members, etc.) that the accreditation process is rigorous
and has strength.
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4. We help organizations remain informed and current in
regard to laws and regulations. The Commission stays in
close communication with the Committee on Publication of The
Mother Church. Regular phone calls with the Committee's Federal
office help us to keep informed about new legislation in the
United States and internationally, as well as changes to laws
that could directly affect your work. In some cases we are
made aware of efforts being made to preserve existing accommodations
or to gain new ones that uphold constitutional rights and
privileges.
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5. We encourage effective management practices that
uphold the law and represent wise, efficient, and logical
policy and procedures. As well as examining and making suggestions
about practices during our visits, we endeavor to learn from
your new ideas and fresh ways of handling issues. We also
keep watch for approaches and good ideas published by experts
in the management arena that could be applied to our organizations
to improve practices.
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6. We provide individual coaching and support to new Executive
Directors, Administrators, and Directors of Christian Science
Nursing. The Commission initiates contact with new managers
and offers to visit to provide instruction and mentoring.
We also provide resources to assist with different issues.
Some recent projects include:
--A workshop on principles and methods for performing staff
evaluations;
--Regular consultation and on-site visits to review and update
policies and procedures;
--A pre-inspection visit with a full report of recommendations
to help prepare for the regularly scheduled inspection by
The Commission or others;
--Consultation during reorganization and construction of a
new building;
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7. We respond to complaints. Over the years The Commission
has received a few complaints about facilities from concerned
staff and/or family members. Last year the board instituted
a new grievance inquiry process that established guidelines
and embraces an ethical, confidential approach. When necessary,
this includes a visit to better ascertain the facts of the
situation. Our assistance, based on Christian qualities, helps
to determine where a need for improvement is necessary in
policies and procedures, and helps to meet concerned thought.
The Commission has also been requested to testify in court
cases on behalf of organizations.
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8. We accredit training programs. In 2008 we expanded
our inspection process by developing a separate, more detailed
set of standards for training programs. While The Commission
does not regulate curriculum, we do offer to review training
material and make suggestions if requested. Two training schools
were accredited in 2008, involving on-site inspections, interviews
with the teaching staff and those receiving training.
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9. We support your relationship with outside regulatory
bodies. One example, occurring in 2009, was participation
in a "preceptorship" visit conducted by the Center
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) personnel at a facility.
During this visit The Commission was able to support the Executive
Director and Director of Christian Science Nursing as CMS
officials toured the facility and interviewed us about Religious
Nonmedical Health Care Institution (RNHCI) practices.
We also work with organizations in Canada and the UK, and
keep
up to date with their requirements as they meet the laws and
regulations in their countries.
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10. We participate in special projects that benefit
your
organization. As you know The Commission participates as a
member of the Third Party Payer Committee (TPPC) of AOCSN.
This year a project was accomplished to strengthen guidelines
for the process of writing rationales for the Utilization
Review Committees in facilities that are RNHCI Institutions.
We also are asked from time to time to join in specific initiatives
conducted by The Mother Church. Currently we are participating
in a project conducted by a task force engaged in developing
codes for insurance companies for reimbursement for Christian
Science nursing services.
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11. We are developing tools and resources to help you.
Our website has taken longer to launch than we anticipated,
but in the plans is a password protected site which will contain
helpful information related to laws, regulations, and best
practices. This
section will have suggestions, instructions, and explanations
of procedures, as well as templates and documents that can
be downloaded for your use. The other side will be open to
the public with information about the accreditation process
and how to reach your facility.
These are just some of The Commission's activities that benefit
our accredited organizations. We are working hard to provide
supportive, informative resources to help you in your important
work. We want you to find great value if you call us for information
and resources when facing tough issues or challenges. We're
here to help you find practical, workable, healing solutions.
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12. Our function is distinctly different from the Association
of Organizations for Christian Science Nurses (AOCSN).
What you can see from our list of activities is that we have
a different purpose than AOCSN. Our tasks are specifically
related to the work of defining standards that reflect excellence
and helping organizations maintain accountability through
the accreditation process.
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