Access to Care and

Continuity of Care
(ACC)
th
6 Edition Changes

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 Requirement Change: ACC.1

• New ME 3 – If the patient’s needs do not match the hospital’s

mission and resources, the hospital will transfer, refer, or
assist the patient in identifying and/or obtaining appropriate
sources of care.

• Relates to patient-centered care

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Surveyor Tips

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 Surveyor Tips: ACC.1
• If no match for services, you are responsible for transfer

• Clinical, financial, patient preference

• Could be formal transfer, or consultation (assistance) when

appropriate

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 Requirement Change: ACC.1.1
• References PCI standards addressing global infections and
segregating/isolating patients as needed.

• Clarifies in the intent that a recognized triage process is used

in outpatient urgent/immediate care settings as well as the
emergency department.

• New ME 1 – The hospital uses a recognized triage process that

includes early recognition of communicable diseases, to
prioritize patients with immediate needs.
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Surveyor Tips

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 Surveyor Tips: ACC.1.1
• “Recognized” triage process

• Include signs/symptoms of communicable diseases----up to

you and the process/scoring

• Fever, cough, diarrhea, rash, travel history, etc.

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 Requirement Change: ACC.2.2
• Adds language to the standard statement and intent to

support ME 1.

• New ME 1 – On admission as an inpatient, the patient and

family receive education and orientation to the inpatient

ward.

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Surveyor Tips

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 Surveyor Tips: ACC.2.2
• Patient and family all need inpatient unit orientation

• Physical orientation, proposed care, outcomes, costs—most

already have on a PFE sheet, and/or in the initial

assessments

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 Clarifications: ACC.4.4
• Clarifies requirements of outpatient profiles

• Identifies that the profile is required in both hard copy and

electronic records

• Identifies the need for the information to be readily available

and easily retrieved

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Surveyor Tips

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 Surveyor Tips: ACC.4.4
• Examples: Oncology, Renal, Cardiac, Diabetes

• Start focused, then expand; easy to find in EMR

• Clinicians define the information to include

• Do not base only on high number of visits or duration of time

• If you pick a diagnosis, include all patients

• Collect data to evaluate: surveys, record audits, among

others

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 Requirement Change: ACC.6

• Requirements of ACC.6, MEs 1 and 2 (5th edition) moved to

ACC.4, MEs 5 and 6 (6th edition)
• New ME 3 – Staff responsible for monitoring the patient or
providing other patient care during transport have the
qualifications required for the type of patient being
transferred. (Also see ACC.5.1, ME 2)

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Surveyor Tips

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 Surveyor Tips: ACC.6
• Applies to transfer out in vehicles

• Accompanying staff must have skills to match patient needs

• Could require Paramedics, Nurses, or Physicians

• Remember monitors, defibrillators, meds, etc.

• Remember to standardize transfers also within the building—

especially for critical patients

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