SAMHSA recently approved the National Commission for Correctional
Health Care to conduct accreditation surveys for initiation, renewal,
and continued accreditation of opioid treatment programs in jails
and corrections facilities that provide methadone for patients with
opioid addiction.
Oversight of opioid treatment programs was transferred to SAMHSA
from the Food and Drug Administration in May 2001. At that time,
the SAMHSA accreditation process was created to require all treatment
facilities that use methadone to withdraw or maintain patients addicted
to opiates to become accredited.
Other approved accreditation bodies include: Commission on Accreditation
of Rehabilitation Facilities; Council on Accreditation for Children
and Family Services; Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations; Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Washington
Department of Social and Health Services; and Division of Alcohol
and Drug Abuse, State of Missouri Department of Mental Health.
SAMHSA regulations mandate that a SAMHSA-recognized accreditation
body accredit all methadone treatment centers at least every 3 years.
Accreditation bodies are required to notify SAMHSA within 48 hours
after becoming aware of any practice or condition in an opioid treatment
program that may pose a serious risk to public health and safety
or patient care.
For more information, go to http://dpt.samhsa.gov/accreditation.htm.
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