CONTRIBUTED

Sandhills Center has been awarded national accreditation for three programs from URAC, a Washington, D.C.-based accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry.

They are for health network, health utilization management and health call center

"We are pleased to have achieved URAC accreditation for these important functions," said Victoria Whitt, CEO of Sandhills Center.

"By applying for and receiving health network, health utilization management and health call center accreditation, Sandhills Center has demonstrated a commitment to quality health care," said Alan P. Spielman, URAC president and CEO. "Quality health care is crucial to our nation's welfare and it is important to organizations that are willing to measure themselves against national standards."

Sandhills Center is a local management entity of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services in matters related to mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse. Based in West End, it serves eight counties: Anson, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph and Richmond.

Within its service area, Sandhills Center is charged with ensuring the availability of appropriate community-based, publicly funded services for mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse. It contracts with numerous providers of services and employs licensed clinical staff to conduct behavioral health screening assessments, triage and referral via telephone in a manner that is timely and confidential.

Referral appointments are made with providers based on clinical screening. Sandhills Center can be reached by calling (800) 256-2452 toll free 24 hours a day.

The licensed clinical staff is prepared to assess and assist with routine or emergency situations, a news release said.

The utilization management program employs qualified clinical staff that oversees the utilization review process, ensuring that decisions are based on clinical criteria.

URAC, an independent, nonprofit organization, promotes health care quality through accreditation and certification programs.

For more information about Sandhills Center, call (910) 673-9111 or visit its website at www.sandhillscenter.org.