Why does TJC differentiate between critical access hospitals (CAHs) and regular hospitals?
Size and Location: CAHs are generally small, rural hospitals located in areas with limited access to healthcare resources. They typically have fewer than 25 acute care beds and are usually located in communities that are at least 35 miles from another acute care hospital.
Services Provided: CAHs provide a limited range of services compared to regular hospitals. They are primarily focused on providing basic emergency and inpatient care, as well as some outpatient services. CAHs are not required to offer specialized services such as intensive care units, surgical suites, or obstetrical care.
Staffing: CAHs often have limited staffing resources, including a smaller number of physicians and other healthcare professionals compared to regular hospitals. They may also rely on volunteer staff or telemedicine to supplement their care teams.
Regulatory Requirements: CAHs are subject to different regulatory requirements compared to regular hospitals. They are accredited by TJC under a separate set of standards specifically designed for CAHs. These standards focus on ensuring that CAHs provide high-quality, accessible care within their unique rural setting.
Reimbursement: CAHs receive different reimbursement rates from Medicare and Medicaid compared to regular hospitals. Medicare provides CAHs with higher reimbursement rates for certain services to help them offset the challenges of operating in rural areas.
By differentiating between CAHs and regular hospitals, TJC recognizes the unique needs and challenges of rural healthcare providers and ensures that they meet specific standards of care appropriate for their setting.