Health Services earns reaccreditation from national health care association

Health Services earns reaccreditation from national health care associationNovember 21, 2001SU News ServicesSUnews@syr.edu

The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. (AAAHC) has awarded Syracuse University Health Services the certificate of accreditation. This award means that Health Services has met nationally recognized standards for quality care set by the Chicago-based accrediting organization. Health Services received accreditation previously in 1995 and 1998.

The standards have been developed over a period of more than 20 years by practicing health care professionals presenting the highest level of achievement in clinical practice and heath care management. The standards relate to such areas as quality of care and quality management and improvement, clinical records, pharmaceutical services, environmental safety, governance, administration and professional development.

“We are pleased and proud that Health Services’ accreditation has been renewed for the maximum term (three years) by AAAHC,” said Barry L. Wells, senior vice president and dean of student affairs. “We think accreditation is very important news for students, as it helps us to continuously improve the quality of care that we provide. Students are the ultimate benefactors from our participation in this accreditation program.”

In order to achieve reaccreditation, Health Services underwent an extensive on-site survey of its facilities and services, including an evaluation of all aspects of patient care.

“The dedication and effort necessary to achieve accreditation is substantial. Syracuse University Health Services is to be commended for this accomplishment,” wrote AAAHC executive director John Burke in a letter to the University.

Not all ambulatory health care organizations seek accreditation and not all that undergo an on-site survey receive favorable decisions. “As a matter of fact,” Wells says, “only about 10 percent of the college health services across the country are accredited.”

“The staff of Health Services works very hard to provide high quality care to SU and SUNY-ESF students. I am very proud of the work that the physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and other professional and support staff do on a daily basis to ensure that Health Services remains accredited by the AAAHC,” he said. “I believe they are at the forefront of continuous improvement efforts on our campus.”

The AAAHC conducts its accreditation program on a national basis and has accredited more than 1,240 ambulatory health care organizations. They include single- and multi-specialty group practices, ambulatory and office-based surgery centers, college and university health services, health maintenance organizations and other managed care systems, dental group practices, community health centers and occupational health centers.

AAAHC is a private, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization. It receives professional guidance and financial support from the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery; American Academy of Dental Group Practice; American Academy of Dermatology; American Academy of Facial, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; American Academy of Family Physicians; American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons; American College Health Association; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine; American Society of Anesthesiologists; American Society for Dermatologic Surgery; Association of Freestanding Oncology Centers; Federated Ambulatory Surgery Association; Medical Group Management Association; Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society; Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia and the National Association of Community Health Centers.