When I shop online, it's hard to know beforehand whether the product I'm considering is of high
quality or totally shoddy. Yes, online retailers furnish product photographs, often from multiple
angles. There are product descriptions, too, some of which are very detailed. And, of course,
there are product reviews---sometimes thousands of them from people from all over the world. I
sometimes read pages of reviews before clicking BUY.

However, until that package arrives, how much can I really know? It's not until I plug it in, hang it
up, or put it on that I truly know if I'll be satisfied, and I've often made online purchases that
have failed to live up to my expectations (I'm looking at you, super-cheap sneakers). Sadly,
more than once I've ordered something that turned out to be of such poor quality, or so at
variance with the description, that the product is utterly unusable and the purchase was a total
loss.

If it's so difficult to order a nice pair of shoes or sturdy office chair, how can you be sure of
finding a high-quality health and human service provider? Unfortunately, there are no product
photos, and even customer reviews may not be enough to adequately inform such an important
decision and high-stakes investment.

One solution is to search for organizations that are accredited by a reputable, independent
organization who adheres to a high level of professional standards. This removes much of the
guesswork that comes with selecting a high-quality provider.

One such source of accreditation is CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation
Facilities). CARF is an independent, nonprofit organization that provides accreditation services
for health and human service providers, including treatment for addiction and substance abuse,
rehabilitation of disabilities, home and community services, retirement living, and more.

To obtain accreditation from CARF, organizations must undergo extensive auditing and follow
rigorous protocols. Their accreditation focuses on the outcomes of those who have been
served. Also, accreditation from CARF is an ongoing process, which strongly encourages
accredited service providers to dedicate themselves to continuous improvement.
Pulse For Good can help health and human service organizations to receive and keep CARF
accreditation by:

1. Assisting with continuous quality improvement.

With Pulse For Good's convenient kiosks and online surveys, clients have a quick and
consistent way to leave feedback, which is compiled into easy-to-read reports. This allows
organizations to identify needed improvements and ensure high-quality results.

2. Addressing health and safety concerns and reducing risks.

Having dedicated and easy-to-find kiosks furnishes visitors and clients with a way to
leave information about concerns they may have or risks they may have seen. Clients and
visitors are more likely to leave information if it is easy to do so. Further, the kiosks and online
surveys provide a confidential and secure way for clients to share information, protecting them
from misuse of their personal information and respecting their rights.

3. Showing that the organization values the input of clients and the community.

Having kiosks for feedback is a physical reminder that the organization seeks and cares
about the input of their patrons. Using that input to make improvements helps the organization
to provide the best possible quality of care and shows a commitment to addressing client needs.

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