Most consumers recognize the importance of a good warranty when purchasing a television, appliance, or other product of considerable investment. A warranty not only provides assurance that a company will replace a faulty item, but it also forces the manufacturer to build reliable goods. After all, a business cannot survive if it is forced to replace too many things free of charge.
But families shopping South Bay home care agencies face a dilemma, since the “product” isn’t a tangible good but rather a service. How can people know they’re working with the best caregiver company if there’s no way to hold them accountable?
Fortunately, some Torrance home care agencies do have their own version of a warranty that provides peace-of-mind to prospective clients. And it comes in the form of quality assurance as measured by client reviews, community testimonials, third-party survey companies, and a trusted organization called “The Joint Commission.”
Here’s how these quality assurance measures ensure top-notch home care services.
Client Reviews
Many people reference online reviews when searching for restaurants or products to buy on Amazon. But client reviews are also extremely helpful when vetting home care agencies. Caregiver companies often post testimonials on their websites, which provides a good starting point. But it’s important to remember these may not be accurate, especially when client names are omitted.
Therefore, Google reviews are usually a better gauge when determining quality of care. These are harder for companies to fabricate or doctor and are often linked to real-life people via their Google accounts. Google reviews are also easy to find since most home care agencies these days have Google listings.
Community Testimonials
Individual clients provide direct feedback on a home care agency’s performance, which is terrific. But local healthcare professionals and community organizations can also share opinions on caregiver companies’ reputations. These folks often hear about patient experiences, both negative and positive.
Community testimonials can be particularly helpful, as they often provide balance that can be lost in one-off reviews. In other words, an individual home care client might have either a wonderful or horrible experience. But that person or family is not representative of a company’s overall performance. Community organizations and healthcare professionals, on the other hand, usually hear the opinions of multiple agency clients and can share a more balanced assessment.
Third-Party Survey Companies
As previously stated, client reviews are great. But it’s hard for families to know if anonymous internet postings are genuine. That’s why some home care agencies voluntarily partner with third-party survey companies, which directly interview agency employees and clients. These survey companies secure objective feedback from real folks that cannot be fabricated.
BrightStar Care of Torrance is partnered with one such company, Home Care Pulse. The organization is a leading quality assurance firm within the home care industry and regularly surveys agency clients and staff regarding quality of care, customer service, and company operations. It’s worth noting that BrightStar Care has been honored with the Home Care Pulse “2021 Best of Home Care - Provider of Choice” award three years running, meaning the agency receives consistently high reviews from clients!
Since Home Care Pulse and similar QA services provide participating agencies with their survey results on a regular basis, these caregiver companies can promptly address issues and work to continuously improve quality of care and service. But unfortunately, some Torrance home care agencies don’t take advantage of these resources. Such care providers often say they conduct their own internal QA, rendering third-party surveys unnecessary. However, at the end of the day, most people would agree a company cannot objectively survey itself.
The Joint Commission
Families are unlikely to know about The Joint Commission, which is an organization that ensures accountability for hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and other medical providers through accreditation and auditing. However, their work is highly regarded for promoting top quality of care. And they even make their hospital and facility scorecards public for people to review online.
Very few home care agencies are accredited by The Joint Commission. However, the organization does allow caregiver companies to opt in. BrightStar Care is one of the only home care agencies in Torrance and the South Bay region that has Joint Commission accreditation. In fact, BrightStar Care recently received their high honor, “2021 Enterprise Champion for Quality Award”!
Final Thoughts
Home care clients are often dismayed at discrepancies among companies in terms of quality of care. After all, purchased products are usually more predictable. Automobiles that are the same make and model are likely to perform similarly. And when they don’t, a warranty remedies the issue. But home care is service-based, varies greatly, and doesn’t include a guarantee.
Fortunately, prospective South Bay home care clients can investigate companies’ quality assurance measures to help improve their odds of receiving great service. Online reviews and survey results from organizations that audit caregiver companies aren’t perfect. But positive feedback is certainly a good sign and reduces risks. And families shouldn’t include companies on their “short list” that lack third-party accountability!
If you’re seeking home care in Torrance, Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach, or the South Bay region, be sure to call BrightStar Care today for a free assessment from our Director of Nursing (Registered Nurse)!
But families shopping South Bay home care agencies face a dilemma, since the “product” isn’t a tangible good but rather a service. How can people know they’re working with the best caregiver company if there’s no way to hold them accountable?
Fortunately, some Torrance home care agencies do have their own version of a warranty that provides peace-of-mind to prospective clients. And it comes in the form of quality assurance as measured by client reviews, community testimonials, third-party survey companies, and a trusted organization called “The Joint Commission.”
Here’s how these quality assurance measures ensure top-notch home care services.
Client Reviews
Many people reference online reviews when searching for restaurants or products to buy on Amazon. But client reviews are also extremely helpful when vetting home care agencies. Caregiver companies often post testimonials on their websites, which provides a good starting point. But it’s important to remember these may not be accurate, especially when client names are omitted.
Therefore, Google reviews are usually a better gauge when determining quality of care. These are harder for companies to fabricate or doctor and are often linked to real-life people via their Google accounts. Google reviews are also easy to find since most home care agencies these days have Google listings.
Community Testimonials
Individual clients provide direct feedback on a home care agency’s performance, which is terrific. But local healthcare professionals and community organizations can also share opinions on caregiver companies’ reputations. These folks often hear about patient experiences, both negative and positive.
Community testimonials can be particularly helpful, as they often provide balance that can be lost in one-off reviews. In other words, an individual home care client might have either a wonderful or horrible experience. But that person or family is not representative of a company’s overall performance. Community organizations and healthcare professionals, on the other hand, usually hear the opinions of multiple agency clients and can share a more balanced assessment.
Third-Party Survey Companies
As previously stated, client reviews are great. But it’s hard for families to know if anonymous internet postings are genuine. That’s why some home care agencies voluntarily partner with third-party survey companies, which directly interview agency employees and clients. These survey companies secure objective feedback from real folks that cannot be fabricated.
BrightStar Care of Torrance is partnered with one such company, Home Care Pulse. The organization is a leading quality assurance firm within the home care industry and regularly surveys agency clients and staff regarding quality of care, customer service, and company operations. It’s worth noting that BrightStar Care has been honored with the Home Care Pulse “2021 Best of Home Care - Provider of Choice” award three years running, meaning the agency receives consistently high reviews from clients!
Since Home Care Pulse and similar QA services provide participating agencies with their survey results on a regular basis, these caregiver companies can promptly address issues and work to continuously improve quality of care and service. But unfortunately, some Torrance home care agencies don’t take advantage of these resources. Such care providers often say they conduct their own internal QA, rendering third-party surveys unnecessary. However, at the end of the day, most people would agree a company cannot objectively survey itself.
The Joint Commission
Families are unlikely to know about The Joint Commission, which is an organization that ensures accountability for hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and other medical providers through accreditation and auditing. However, their work is highly regarded for promoting top quality of care. And they even make their hospital and facility scorecards public for people to review online.
Very few home care agencies are accredited by The Joint Commission. However, the organization does allow caregiver companies to opt in. BrightStar Care is one of the only home care agencies in Torrance and the South Bay region that has Joint Commission accreditation. In fact, BrightStar Care recently received their high honor, “2021 Enterprise Champion for Quality Award”!
Final Thoughts
Home care clients are often dismayed at discrepancies among companies in terms of quality of care. After all, purchased products are usually more predictable. Automobiles that are the same make and model are likely to perform similarly. And when they don’t, a warranty remedies the issue. But home care is service-based, varies greatly, and doesn’t include a guarantee.
Fortunately, prospective South Bay home care clients can investigate companies’ quality assurance measures to help improve their odds of receiving great service. Online reviews and survey results from organizations that audit caregiver companies aren’t perfect. But positive feedback is certainly a good sign and reduces risks. And families shouldn’t include companies on their “short list” that lack third-party accountability!
If you’re seeking home care in Torrance, Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach, or the South Bay region, be sure to call BrightStar Care today for a free assessment from our Director of Nursing (Registered Nurse)!