Development of the Standards

A systematic and inclusive process guides the development and revision of standards. The rationale for undertaking these activities includes:

• Environmental Scanning: Comprehensive environmental scanning, including reviews from national and international sources, analysis of industry trends, and/or insights from national/global best practices, identifies trends and emerging issues relevant to the standards area. For international programs, standards recognize guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other professional organizations, as applicable.
• Stakeholder Feedback: Diverse stakeholders, including surveyors, client organizations, healthcare professionals, service user groups, governments, and other relevant entities, may provide input to ensure the standards address practical needs and challenges.
• Evaluation of Existing Standards: For revised standards, previous editions’ evaluation data are analyzed to identify areas of improvement and ensure alignment with current practices and regulations.
• Expert Knowledge and Advice: Standards development benefits from the contributions of subject matter experts, who provide specialized knowledge and advice, to ensure the standards’ relevance and accuracy.
• Testing: Prior to final adoption, standards are field tested by organizations and ACHC International surveyors for relevance and applicability. Feedback is collected and may inform revisions on a universal or regional level.