|
Getting ready to undergo a surgical procedure is a serious undertaking. Patients should be prepared to ask their physicians questions not only about their personal credentials and training, but also about their practice and abilities to perform the procedure they are considering.
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.
A list of AAAHC accredited centers can be found on this Web site by clicking here. If you don't see your center listed, you should ask about their accreditation status. They may be accredited by another organization or may have chosen to not undergo any accreditation process.
Below are some examples of what the Accreditation Association looks for when surveying an organization:
Patient Rights
> Are patients treated with respect, consideration and dignity?
> Are patients provided with complete information concerning their diagnosis, evaluation, treatment and prognosis and given the opportunity to participate in decisions involving their health care?
> Are patients given information regarding their rights and responsibilities, services available to them at the organization, provisions for after-hours and emergency care, fees, payment policies and credentialing of health care professionals.
Governance
> Is there a process for identifying, analyzing, reporting and preparing an action plan for adverse incidents?
> Does the organization have an appropriate procedure for validating the qualifications of individuals who provide health care services?
> Does the organization have an appropriate procedure for determining what types of procedures a health care professional may provide?
Administration
> Does the organizations maintain an appropriate and secure health information system?
> Are there appropriate personnel policies?
> Does the organization do periodic patient satisfaction surveys?
Quality of Care Provided
> Are patients contacted in a timely manner regarding significant problems and/or abnormal lab findings?
> Are there mechanisms in place to ensure the transfer of patients when appropriate?
Quality Management and Improvement
> Does the organization have procedures in place for reviewing their quality of care?
> Does the organization have an appropriate quality improvement program?
> Does the organization have a risk management program designed to protect the life and welfare of its patients and employees?
Clinical Records and Health Information
> Does the organization have an organized system for collecting, processing, maintaining and storing patient records?
> Are the presence or absence of allergies and untoward reactions towards drugs and other materials recorded in a uniform location in patient charts?
> Are patient records transferred to the new health care professional when a patient is transferred?
Professional Improvement
> Does the organization encourage employee participation in seminars, workshops and other educational activities that are relevant to its missions and objectives?
> Does the organization continuously monitor the maintenance of licensure and/or certification of professional personnel?
Facilities and Environment
> Does the organization comply with all state and local building codes and regulations?
> Does the organization have the necessary personnel, equipment, and procedures to handle medical and other emergencies that may arise?
> Is the space allotted for a particular function or service adequate for the functions performed therein?
Anesthesia Services
> Are the anesthesia services provided by the organization adequately supervised by one or more physician or dentist qualified by the governing body?
> Does the organization receive the informed consent of the patient for the nature of the anesthesia planned?
> Does the organization administered have the appropriate resuscitative equipment for patients receiving anesthesia?
Surgical and Related Services
> Are the surgical procedures performed in the facility limited to those procedures approved by the governing body?
> Are surgical procedures performed by health care professionals that are licensed to perform such procedures and have been granted privileges by the governing body?
> Does the organization have a safe environment for treating surgical patients, including adequate safeguards to protect from cross-infection?
|