What is ambulatory care accreditation?
Ambulatory Care accreditation applies to organizations with “health care occupancy,” providing care to four or more individuals at the same time, who are either rendered incapable of self-preservation in an emergency or are undergoing general anesthesia. Learn more about Ambulatory Surgery Center Accreditation
How long have we helped ambulatory care organizations achieve accreditation?
For almost 45 years, we've helped Ambulatory Care organizations meet and exceed rigorous performance standards for improved patient safety and enhanced quality outcomes. Get started on your path to ambulatory care accreditation today. Are you preparing for your first accreditation survey?
How does a single accreditation decision for ambulatory systems work?
Awards a single accreditation decision to an ambulatory “system” composed of a corporate office and multiple sites. Under this option, the main site is visited to assess system-wide policies and functions and then a random sample* of sites are visited to assess the execution of the policies and the delivery of care.
How do I get Medicare accreditation for an ambulatory surgery center?
Deemed Status for Ambulatory Surgery Centers Accreditation The Joint Commission is designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as an approved accreditor for ASCs seeking Medicare certification, and can provide accreditation and Medicare certification simultaneously through its survey process.
Who regulates ASC?
Some ASCs are regulated by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). However, most ASCs are under the regulatory oversight of the Medical Board of California (MBC) which requires that ASCs be nationally accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the MBC.
Who accredits and certifies ambulatory surgery facilities?
The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) It is the mission of the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc.
Does Jcaho accredit ambulatory care?
The Joint Commission is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization. Beginning in 1975, The Joint Commission established the Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation Program to encourage safe, high quality patient care in all types of freestanding ambulatory care facilities.
Which accreditation agency works primarily with ambulatory surgery centers?
Survey Options The Joint Commission is designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as an approved accreditor for ambulatory surgery centers seeking Medicare certification, and can provide accreditation and Medicare certification simultaneously through its survey process.
Which organizations accredit ambulatory care and physician office settings?
The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, also known as AAAHC or the Accreditation Association, is a private, non-profit organization formed in 1979.
Who does The Joint Commission accredit?
health care organizationsThe Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 22,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including hospitals and health care organizations that provide ambulatory and office-based surgery, behavioral health, home health care, laboratory and nursing care center services.
How much does Jcaho accreditation cost?
On average the cost of accreditation for an ambulatory care organization is $12,000. When spread over a three-year time period, Joint Commission accreditation costs equate to just pennies per patient, per day.
What are Joint Commission requirements?
Requirements. Joint Commission Requirements is a free listing of all policy revisions to standards published in Joint Commission Perspectives that have gone into effect since the accreditation/certification manual was last issued.
What are the benefits of Joint Commission accreditation?
Improves the quality of patient care by reducing variation in clinical processes – The Joint Commission's standards and emphasis on clinical practice guidelines help organizations establish a consistent approach to care, reducing the risk of error.
What does the AAAHC do?
AAAHC is the leading accreditor of ambulatory health care organizations in the United States. AAAHC provides an external, independent review of a health care delivery organization against nationally recognized standards and its own policies, procedures, processes, and outcomes.
What is the difference between AAAHC and AAAASF?
AAAHC has delineated standards for specific departments or services, which makes the establishment and review of those departments in compliance with the standards easier to determine. With AAAASF, the focus of the standards is office-based surgery and the requirements are aligned with that more limited focus.
What is URAC certification?
URAC is the Gold Standard for Health Care Accreditation URAC's approach to the accreditation process allows organizations to improve their health care activities through collaboration and iteration. This approach allows you to determine the best way forward for your organization's improvements.
Accreditation Options
Below are just some of the larger ambulatory care settings The Joint Commission accredits.
Certification Options
Primary Care Medical Home Certification The Joint Commission's Primary Care Medical Home option recognizes organizations providing superior access to primary care for patients and offers the potential for increased reimbursement.
Rely on Our Experts
If you’re not sure which option best suits your needs, or you’d like help getting started, our team of experts can help. Find out more about our accreditation and certification options.
Settings We Accredit
Beginning in 1975, The Joint Commission established the Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation program to encourage safe, high quality patient care in all types of freestanding ambulatory care facilities. Today, the Ambulatory Health Care program accredits over 2,200 organizations in a variety of settings:
Steps to Accreditation
The journey to accreditation may seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Access our practical 10-step checklist to get started on the path to performance excellence. For a more comprehensive look at the accreditation process, download our overview.
Determine Your Eligibility
Organizations seeking Joint Commission ambulatory care accreditation must meet certain eligibility requirements. For example, your facility must be U.S. owned and operated, provide direct patient care and meet minimum requirements including the number of patients served.
Build Accreditation Fees into Your Budget
Accreditation fees are based on an organization’s size and annual patient volumes. On average the cost of accreditation for an ambulatory care organization is $12,000. When spread over a three-year time period, Joint Commission accreditation costs equate to just pennies per patient, per day.
What is AAAHC accreditation?
The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care ( AAAHC ), founded in 1979, is an American organization which accredits ambulatory health care organizations, including ambulatory surgery centers, office-based surgery centers, endoscopy centers, and college student health centers, as well as health plans, such as health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations. AAAHC has been granted "deemed status" to certify ambulatory surgery centers for Medicare by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In 2009, the AAAHC added the Medical home to the types of organizations that it accredits. It offers on-site surveys for organizations seeking Medical Home accreditation or certification.
What is AAAHC deemed status?
AAAHC has been granted "deemed status" to certify ambulatory surgery centers for Medicare by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In 2009, the AAAHC added the Medical home to the types of organizations that it accredits.
What is AAAHC Institute?
Institute for Quality Improvement. In 1999, the AAAHC founded its non-profit subsidiary, the AAAHC Institute for Quality Improvement (AAAHC Institute) to offer performance measurement opportunities and related quality improvement/educational programs to ambulatory health care organizations.
Who are AAAHC surveyors?
AAAHC surveyors are volunteers: physicians, dentists, podiatrists, pharmacists, nurses and administrators who are actively involved with ambulatory health care.
What is AAAHC accreditation?
The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care , also known as AAAHC or the Accreditation Association, is a private, non-profit organization formed in 1979. It is a leader in developing standards to advance and promote patient safety, quality and value for ambulatory health care ...
How to get Medicare certification?
To obtain Medicare certification, and usually to obtain a state license, an ASC must have an inspection conducted by a state official or a representative of an organization that the government has authorized to conduct that inspection.
How are ASCs regulated?
ASCs are regulated in many ways. Most provide care to Medicare beneficiaries and, thus, must meet Medicare standards and be approved by the federal government. In virtually every state, ASCs must meet specific requirements and obtain a state license. To obtain Medicare certification, and usually to obtain a state license, an ASC must have an inspection conducted by a state official or a representative of an organization that the government has authorized to conduct that inspection. These inspectors actually visit the ASC to verify that it meets established standards.
What is Joint Commission?
Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.
Overview
The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), founded in 1979, is an American organization which accredits ambulatory health care organizations, including ambulatory surgery centers, office-based surgery centers, endoscopy centers, and college student health centers, as well as health plans, such as health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations. AAAHC has been granted "deemed status" to certify ambulatory surgery centers f…
History
The Accreditation Association was formed in 1979 by six member organizations including the American College Health Association, the ASC Association, and the Medical Group Management Association.
The Accreditation Association has 18 Association Members:
• Ambulatory Surgery Foundation
Accreditation process
Standards are reviewed and updated annually to keep up with current trends and technologies in the health care arena. AAAHC surveyors are volunteers: physicians, dentists, podiatrists, pharmacists, nurses and administrators who are actively involved with ambulatory health care.
AAAHC offers a three-year term of accreditation. An organization may also receive a deferral or denial of accreditation if compliance is not met.
Institute for Quality Improvement
In 1999, the AAAHC founded its non-profit subsidiary, the AAAHC Institute for Quality Improvement (AAAHC Institute) to offer performance measurement opportunities and related quality improvement/educational programs to ambulatory health care organizations. The AAAHC Institute has conducted and published more than 70 studies.
See also
• List of healthcare accreditation organizations in the USA
External links
• Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care