Advanced Palliative Care Certification
DNV’s Advanced Palliative Care Certification (APCC) honours healthcare organizations that provide high-quality, patient-and family-centred care focused on comfort, dignity, and improved quality of life for individuals with serious illness.
Advanced Palliative Care Certification
The evolving role of palliative care
As the burden of chronic illness grows and populations age, palliative care has emerged as a critical element of high-performing healthcare systems. Patients and families increasingly seek care that prioritizes relief from suffering, emotional support, and alignment with personal values and goals.
Yet, despite increasing demand, palliative care delivery is often fragmented. Many organizations face challenges such as:
- Inconsistent care coordination across settings.
- Limited interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Gaps in patient and family communication.
- Variable adherence to national guidelines.
In this environment, healthcare organizations must do more than offer palliative services; they must demonstrate excellence through integrated, evidence-based, and compassionate care.
What is Advanced Palliative Care Certification (APCC)?
DNV’s APCC is a performance-based certification that recognizes organizations delivering. exemplary palliative services. Such programs address physical, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual needs across care settings, including hospital-based, outpatient, and community settings.
Grounded in the ISO 9001 risk-based approach, the certification aligns with national and international best practices, including:
- National Consensus Project’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care (third edition).
- CMS Conditions of Participation (CoPs).
- Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC).
- National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO).
Each certification cycle includes:
- An annual on-site survey conducted by clinically experienced surveyors.
- Performance data review focused on outcomes and quality indicators.
- Structured feedback with tailored education to support continuous improvement.
Core areas of evaluation include:
- Implementation of a robust quality management system.
- Evidence of comprehensive, whole-person care.
- Strong interdisciplinary collaboration between providers, nurses, chaplains, social workers, dietitians, and other specialties.
- Clear protocols for case management, care planning, and continuity.
- Staffing management, training and evaluation.
- Infection prevention and control measures appropriate to palliative settings.
- Commitment to family support, shared decision-making, and patient advocacy.
Trusted experts in healthcare
We go beyond traditional certification models. We work with your team to not just evaluate your program, but to enhance it – advancing excellence through collaboration, education, and insight.
Our distinctive approach includes:
- Risk-based quality management combines ISO 9001 principles with clinical excellence.
- Surveyors with real-world experience who understand the nuances of palliative and serious illness care.
- Performance-focused evaluations centred on outcomes and operational maturity.
- Collaborative, transparent surveys that highlight opportunities – not just compliance gaps.
Our process focuses on continuous improvement, better patient outcomes, and lasting organizational excellence.
Benefits of being certified
- Validates your commitment to comfort, dignity, and quality of life.
- Enhances interdisciplinary collaboration and clinical communication among providers, nurses, and social workers.
- Strengthens care transitions across inpatient, outpatient, and home-based settings.
- Encourages family engagement, transparency, and shared decision-making.
- Aligns your program with national benchmarks and evolving standards.
- Boosts staff engagement, pride, and retention in a mission-driven environment.
- Encourages a culture of compassionate excellence.
- Supports data-informed decisions and meaningful, ongoing quality improvement.
Whether you're expanding your palliative services or seeking to elevate an existing program, APCC is a powerful catalyst for transformation and trust.
Resources to support your Advanced Palliative Care certification
Access key materials to prepare your organization for DNV’s APCC program. These resources help you understand requirements, survey expectations, and implementation guidance for certification readiness.
Palliative care program certification requirements
Explore the core standards and eligibility framework that define DNV’s APCC model.
Download the DNV Palliative Care Program requirements
Learn more about the certification process, evaluation criteria, and program benefits.
