AAAHC ACCREDITATION
Accreditation is a voluntary process through which an organization is able to measure the quality of its services and performance against nationally recognized standards. The accreditation process involves self-assessment by the organization, as well as a thorough review by the Accreditation Association's expert surveyors, who themselves have extensive experience in the ambulatory health care environment.
The accreditation certificate is a symbol that an organization is committed to providing high-quality health care and that it has demonstrated that commitment by measuring up to the Accreditation Association's high standards.
What Does the Accreditation Association Review?
The Accreditation Association standards, published in the Accreditation Handbook for Ambulatory Health Care, describe organizational characteristics that the Accreditation Association has determined to be essential to high-quality patient care. The Accreditation Association standards are divided into core standards that apply to all organizations seeking accreditation, and adjunct standards that apply to organizations based on the services they provide. Overall there are approximately 250 core and 375 adjunct standards in the Handbook. Accreditation offers many more benefits to an ambulatory health care organization than public recognition alone.
Core standards that apply to all organizations include:
- Rights of Patients
- Governance
- Administration
- Quality of Care Provided
- Quality Management and Improvement
- Clinical Records and Health Information
- Facilities and Environment
What Does Accreditation Mean for My Care?
Looking for a seal of accreditation can help you make some of these informed choices. Accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC/Accreditation Association) means that the organization, whether it is a multi-specialty ambulatory surgery center or a single-specialty office based practice, has undergone a thorough review of its policies and practices.