Final answer:
NIAHO uses two sets of standards for accrediting hospitals - one based on federal regulations and guidelines, and the other developed by AOHC. These standards ensure quality of care and promote excellence in healthcare.
Step-by-step explanation:
NIAHO (National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations) uses two independent sets of standards when accrediting hospitals. The first set of standards is based on federal regulations and guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). These standards ensure that hospitals meet minimum requirements for quality of care and patient safety.
The second set of standards is developed by the AOHC (Accreditation Organization for Hospitals and Health Systems). These standards are more comprehensive and cover a wide range of areas, including clinical services, patient rights, infection control, medication management, and performance improvement. They are designed to promote excellence in healthcare and provide a framework for hospitals to continuously evaluate and improve their organizational performance.