If a practice is to be consistently followed, the doer must understand and find value in the task at hand. Motivation is the key to human actions. Hospice managers must weave the value of quality hospice care throughout the entire organization. The organization should make it clear that excellence and commitment is expected of all employees, volunteers and contracting agencies. Such expectations should be supported by available guidelines or standards that are understood by all.
Accreditation is a systematic way to provide such guidelines and standards.
Accreditation has proven to enhance hospices' efficiency and effectiveness. The duration of the efficiency however, will be consistent with the efforts committed to keep high performance ongoing. The effects of accreditation should last longer than a few weeks or months before and after a surveyor's visit. If quality is not ongoing, it is simply an act or short term means to satisfy standards for accreditation and not a planned habit. The act or habit response is closely linked to the reason an organization pursues accreditation.