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 Accreditation InformationJanuary 2004Drew Health Service achieves national accreditation for the third time! Drew University Health Service is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a three year certificate of accreditation by the Over 1,300 ambulatory healthcare organizations across the United States are accredited by AAAHC which include office based surgery centers; single and multi-specialty group practices; college and university health services; dental group practices; community health centers; occupational health centers, and managed care organizations. At this time Drew, Princeton and Rutgers Universities are the only accredited college health services in New Jersey, and join approximately 175 other accredited college health services in the country. To learn more about the accrediting organization, view the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) web site. Press Release of Accreditation Subject: Drew University Health Service Receives National Accreditation. One of Only Three in the State to MADISON, NJ (February 25, 1998) - Drew University Health Service has been awarded a three-year certificate of accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Drew Health Service has met nationally recognized standards for high quality health care set by the AAAHC, a prestigious Chicago-based accrediting organization. Drew joins Princeton University and Rutgers University as the only accredited college health centers in New Jersey. Drew is the first nurse practitioner-directed center to be accredited in the state. "We are pleased and proud to have achieved national accreditation," said Thomas H. Kean, President of Drew University. Kathleen Nottage, Director of Health Services at Drew, said, "The Drew Health Service has had a long-standing commitment to quality care, and achieving accreditation is a visible sign of this commitment. Accreditation is a demanding process, and we believe that our students are the ultimate benefactors from our participation in the accreditation program." After completing a rigorous two-year self-study, the Drew Health Service underwent an extensive on-site survey of its facilities, services, and all aspects of patient care. Margaret Bridwell, MD, President of AAAHC and Director of Health Services at the University of Maryland, the accreditation surveyor, said, "Drew University Health Service is an excellent college health service. The following areas are worthy of commendation: Medical Records, Laboratory Services, Clinical Protocols, Staff Development, Continuous Quality Improvement Studies, Women's Health Program, International Travel Advisory Program, and administrative concerns such as staff credentials, the orientation of new staff, and job descriptions. The facilities are attractive and demonstrate a commitment to patient rights and privacy. One is left with the impression that the staff has not just performed for a surveyor, but that they have a true commitment to quality of care." Dr. Bridwell's report was reviewed by a committee of medical experts from throughout the country. In the decision letter to the University, Bridwell said, "The dedication and effort necessary to achieve accreditation is substantial. Drew University Health Service is to be commended for this accomplishment." The AAAHC conducts its accreditation program on a national basis and has accredited more than 800 ambulatory health care organizations including 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 from the Medical Group Management Association, Federated Ambulatory Surgery Association, American College Health Association, National Association of Community Health Centers, Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Society of Outpatient Surgeons, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, American Academy of Dental Group Practice, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Association of Freestanding Radiation Oncology Centers, and American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. Drew University Health Service is a teaching site for graduate students in nursing from Seton Hall University, Rutgers University, and the University of Pennsylvania. It is also an observation site for nursing students from the College of St. Elizabeth. Information About the AAAHCWhat is the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care?The AAAHC is a private, not-for-profit organization that was formed in 1979 to assist ambulatory health care organizations in improving the quality of care they provide to their patients. It accomplishes this by setting standards, measuring performance, providing consultation and education where needed, and ultimately by awarding accreditation to those organizations that are found to be in compliance with its standards. What is accreditation?Accreditation is a voluntary process through which an ambulatory health care 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 AAAHC's expert surveyors who are themselves practicing health care professionals. The accreditation certificate is a symbol to others that an organization is committed to providing high quality care and that it has demonstrated its commitment by measuring up to AAAHC's high standards. The true value of accreditation, however, lies in the consultative and educational process that precedes the awarding of the certificate. It is the self-analysis, peer review, and consultation that ultimately help an organization improve its care and services. What are the standards?The standards, published in the Accreditation Handbook for Ambulatory Health Care, describe organizational characteristics that AAAHC believes are essential to high quality patient care. They relate to such areas as quality of care and quality assurance activities, clinical records, pharmaceutical services, environmental safety, governance, administration, and professional development. The standards have been developed over a period of more than 20 years by individuals representing the highest levels of achievement in clinical practice and health care management. The standards are by definition dynamic and changing as medicine and health care change to reflect the highest levels of care. Who decides whether an organization is accredited?Before accreditation is awarded, an organization participates in a thorough multi-step evaluation process. The basic elements of the process are a self-assessment completed by the organization itself and an on-site survey conducted by a team of physicians, health care managers, and other health professionals who actively participate in organizations similar to those AAAHC surveys. All surveyors are volunteers, serving without pay because they believe in promoting high quality ambulatory health care. The AAAHC Board of Directors - another volunteer group of health care professionals - renders the final accreditation decision based on the surveyors' findings and other information gathered during the survey process. Accreditation may be awarded for either one or three years, depending on the level of compliance with the standards. Who makes up the board of AAAHC?The physicians and health care executives who sit on the AAAHC board are appointed by thirteen of the nation's leading health care associations: Medical Group Management Association , Federated Ambulatory Surgery Association, American College Health Association , National Association of Community Health Centers , Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery , American Society of Outpatient Surgeons, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine , American Academy of Dental Group Practice , American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons , American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery , Association of Freestanding Radiation Oncology Centers, and American Society for Dermatologic Surgery . What kinds of organizations seek accreditation?AAAHC has conducted surveys in nearly every type of ambulatory health care organization including: ambulatory clinics and surgery centers, single- and multi-specialty group practices, health maintenance organizations, birthing centers, hospital-sponsored ambulatory health services, urgent and immediate care centers, office-based surgery centers and practices, and networks and groups of ambulatory care organizations. How is AAAHC financed?Funding for AAAHC comes from fees paid by surveyed organizations and contributions made by the national associations that make up the Board. AAAHC receives no government funding. It is able to maintain its extensive activities because of its volunteer surveyors and leadership and its administrative efficiency. Why is accreditation so important?Ambulatory health care organizations value accreditation as a measure of professional achievement and quality of care. They welcome the AAAHC survey as a constructive learning experience. And, the certificate of accreditation has become a benchmark of quality not only to those involved in health care delivery and management, but to the general public. Because of the excellence of AAAHC's standards and the thoroughness of its survey procedures, many third-party payors such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, commercial insurance carriers, and governmental agencies recognize and accept accreditation by AAAHC as meeting their requirements for reimbursement. Professional liability insurance carriers acknowledge that accreditation is a valuable indicator of quality and frequently consider it in evaluating an organization applying for coverage. And, CHAMPUS has cited AAAHC as an appropriate accreditation agency. Encouraged by such recognition, AAAHC continues to expand its survey activities, to enhance its educational efforts, and to refine and improve its standards and survey procedures. (adapted from AAAHC brochure) |
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