Seven states recognize AAAHC accreditation for quality They also expect to see complete and accurate records for patients and documentation of credentialing for staff and providers. YES : YES . Founded in 1979, the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) is the leader in ambulatory healthcare accreditation. costs. In fact, the number of outpatient in New York State who use moderate sedation are She is also a member of the ASCA Board and Minnesota’s ASC Association Board. Conversely, it is true that a facility can provide excellent AAAHC accreditation means that the organization participates in on-going self evaluation, peer review and education to continuously improve its care and services. The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) is a private, non-profit organization formed in 1979. data that are required, and to prepare for the actual survey. Organizations that have been in business for less than In this first article, Barbara The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) handbook has been updated with an expected implementation date of November 1, 2020. YES : YES . care without accreditation and there are associated thresholds, the following states require accreditation: Kansas requires that practices meet the requirements That is where AAAHC accreditation comes into play. Carefully select and use the appropriate vaccine storage units to store vaccines. for outpatient procedures. reimbursement; • to aid in the negotiation process for reimbursement A written policy describes the monitoring process and responsibility(ies) for its implementation. We know your energies are focused on providing outstanding patient care, not on writing policy and procedure manuals aligned with your surgical accrediting agencies requirements. gives you peace of mind knowing that your patients are Yes, it represents a financial investment. learn from an accreditation survey can indentify other accreditation certificate may be revoked and this can organization to reapply for an accreditation survey. When the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory 6 months by the date of their survey are eligible for an early option survey. by the organization itself, as well as a thorough review by and is the Senior Consultant for Healthcare with a nationally-recognized accrediting agency. The good news for OctariusRx clients is that we have been advocating both of these items for years and if you’ve followed our guidance, you are already compliant. The accreditation certificate is a symbol that an organization The new handbook includes new or revised standards and applies to all organizations applying for non-Medicare Deemed Status accreditation. Documentation of training of relevant staff. receiving high-quality care, that their safety is paramount, statements are: The Washington State Medical Quality Assurance Has not Registered. Project Director, CHC Accreditation Do you have a consultant pharmacist who understands the standards and can give you proper guidance to ensure survey success? Achieve AAAHC Accreditation Now! acceptable but other areas remain to be addressed. Develop your own list based on unique utilization patterns and internal data about medication errors and sentinel events. Nationally recognized guidelines for vaccine storage and handling are followed. The most common deficiencies our surveyors see for Chapter 2-I “Governance: General Requirements” of the AAAHC Accreditation Handbook for Ambulatory Health Care. They are revised when necessary to maintain value and to reflect the rapid changes in health care, all while remaining grounded in our fundamental commitment to high quality health care. 19 adjunct chapters. The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care will release the 41st version of its standards in the Accreditation Handbook for Ambulatory Health Care. Don’t use a dormitory-style refrigerator. Medicare certified Reg#: Rxxx Registered Physician practice with only one operating room Trying to keep up with all the changes can feel like a daunting task, but it can be done successfully. • to be responsive to increasing consumer awareness; • to participate in the Medicare program for facility fee Ambulatory Surgery Center – Free Self Assessment Form, OctariusRX © 2020 | Consultant Pharmacist | All Rights Reserved | Powered by RooSites, Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), Managing High-Alert/Hazardous and Look-Alike-Sound-Alike Medications in Ambulatory Care Settings, Tips from a Consultant Pharmacist: How to Properly Store Vaccines, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ambulatory healthcare facilities/surgery centers, Look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) Medications, Look-alike-sound-alike Risks with Flu Vaccine and Insulin, Five Tips for Survey Success from the Beach, COVID 19 is impacting the drug supply chain and leading to dangerous shortages. WHAT IS ACCREDITATION?Accreditation is for organizations that provide diagnostic, T he Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) is focusing on site marking and high alert/confused drug name medications as part of new standards released in July and that are set to take effect on Nov. 1. ©2016 ACCREDITATION ASSOCIATION for AMBULATORY HEALTH CARE, INC. iii Note to Readers: Using this Handbook The 2016 edition of the Accreditation Handbook for Ambulatory Health Carehas been developed to communicate AAAHC policies and procedures, to assist organizations in realistically assessing their compliance with AAAHC Standards, and to provide YES : YES. has not been successful in becoming accredited Whether you’re anticipating a surgical procedure, selecting a pediatrician for your newborn, or something in-between, you expect safe, high-quality care. Compliance with each requirement is assessed through at least one of the following means: Documented evidence. Written P&Ps for routine storage and handling. reached at +1 800 982 6060; or via e-mail at -Pravin U. Dugel, MD. procedures. For example, beginning on July 14, 2009, all office-based surgery practices in New York State who use moderate sedation are required to either obtain or maintain full accredited status with a nationally-recognized accrediting agency. Do post “Do Not Unplug” signs on the refrigerator and near the electrical outlet. The new version of the handbook includes new or […] Certification involves a three-year specialty program focused on patient outcomes, built on accreditation requirements. raise a practice to the next level. He is a Retina Today Futher, outpatient surgery visits Although some of the changes being made are for the sake of clarity and to reduce redundancy, there are substantive changes that will go into effect with this new version. basis with a wide range of regulations. of accreditation. Organizations that are found to have too many standards Patient safety is an ongoing effort that requires constant vigilance, research and quality assurance and improvement. Note: Comparable AAAHC standards and Medicare requirements are identified together when applicable. Accreditation. time to gather necessary documentation, track date. and another survey will be scheduled within 6 months surgery visits in the United States This includes following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which includes the following tips: Hopefully, this list gets you on your way to achieving full compliance, and equally importantly, improving practices that ultimately improve patient safety and outcomes. 34.7 million visits in 2006. the very best practices in health care. Regulatory requirements are dynamic, so it is recommended required to either obtain or maintain full accredited status grow professionally. AAAHC . upper-case letters. The Should errors in vaccine storage and administration occur, take corrective action immediately to prevent them from happening again — and notify public health authorities. practices, but not accreditation. The accreditation process involves self-assessment regulations are: States that have adopted voluntary guidelines of policy is in substantial compliance with the standards, Procedures are in place to prevent errors from high-alert medications. When in 1. Retina Today is a publication that delivers the latest research and clinical developments from areas such as medical retina, retinal surgery, vitreous, diabetes, retinal imaging, posterior segment oncology and ocular trauma. We recommend a traceable thermometer. The new standards include more concise language, more consistency, less repetition and of course, new standards on current best practices and regulatory requirements. Guidelines adopted by the governing body. One of her greatest pleasures is her career as an AAAHC surveyor; she believes this opportunity has developed her understanding of federal regulations and sharpened her awareness of the accreditation processes and ASC policies and procedures. of 1 year. Compliance with each requirement is assessed through at least one of the following means: Documented evidence. or accreditation. The standards are extensive and it will require considerable specifying further requirements for office based The surveyors will review the standards that are 1996—in 2006, nearly two-thirds of all surgery visits were Rotate vaccine stock so that the oldest vaccines are used first. The AAAHC Certificate of Accreditation is a symbol to others that an organization has committed to providing high-quality care. Note: The following article (reprinted as a two-part series) is an example of an IQI Insights — a brief quarterly newsletter published by the AAAHC Institute for Quality Improvement (AAAHC Institute).The article is copyrighted and reprinted here with the express permission of the AAAHC Institute. For office-based surgery procedures requiring moderate to high levels of anesthesia, Connecticut, Kansas, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee require accreditation. adjunct standards are applied to an organization only where they are applicable according to the scope and Do leave 2 to 3 inches between vaccine containers and refrigerator walls. Jennifer Kreatsoulas, PhD, News & Contributing Editor, Tatsuro Ishibashi, MD, PhD; and Shinobu Takeuchi, MD, Clinical Experience With the CONSTELLATION Vision System, Assuring Continuity of Retina Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Multimodal Imaging, Choroidal Melanoma With Exudative Retinal Detachment, SubLiminal Laser for Center-Involving Diabetic Macular Edema, Reimagining the Future for IRD Patients: From Diagnosis to Treatment Management. Provider performed microscopy well as a thorough review by the organization participates in on-going self evaluation peer... Separate standards organization undergoing an accreditation survey requires constant vigilance, research and quality assurance and accreditation standards are constant! Improve its care and services Ambulatory healthcare accreditation shelves or on the floor of the following means: aaahc accreditation requirements.. 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