The AAAHC recently eliminated the six-month and one-year accreditation terms, and the change affects ASCs applying for accreditation after March 1. Marci Ramahi is the accreditation services manager and served as the staff liaison to the task force that recommended the change.
Q: What was behind the decision to discontinue the shorter accreditation terms?
Marci Ramahi: AAAHC wanted to simplify the accreditation decisions and focus on a process that would assist organizations in improving patient care. Shorter terms had allowed AAAHC to return to an organization to assess its corrective actions or sustained compliance, but the interim surveys will accomplish the same goal.
Q: How will this change the accreditation process?
MR: For most organizations, there will be no change. Previously, when an organization received a one-year or six-month term, they would need to provide what corrective actions were taken to correct deficiencies cited during the survey. With the policy effective this year, the AAAHC will receive an organization's plans for implementing its improvement actions shortly after the survey and before its full completion, providing an increased level of oversight by AAAHC.
Q: What about facilities that received six-month or one-year accreditation in the past?
MR: Organizations that received six-month and one-year terms under the application of the old policy will need to re-apply for the re-survey. However, the new policy will be applied for the decision generated from the re-survey.
Q: What was the original reason behind the short periods?
MR: The shorter terms were to allow AAAHC to assess an organization's compliance with the standards when there were indications that sustained compliance with the standards should be assessed. AAAHC feels this oversight can be accomplished through plans for improvement and interim surveys.
Q: What was the stigma attached to organizations with shorter accreditation periods?
MR: While an accreditation term of six months or one year could be seen positively since the organizations achieved accreditation, AAAHC heard from organizations that some other entities, such as insurance companies, did not view the accreditation achievement in quite the same light. For example, a newly operational organization that had an Early Option Survey would need to have a re-survey in six months or one year so its track record of activities could be assessed. The need for the re-survey was not intended to be punitive or indicate that there was concern for patient care.
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Q: What was behind the decision to discontinue the shorter accreditation terms?
Marci Ramahi: AAAHC wanted to simplify the accreditation decisions and focus on a process that would assist organizations in improving patient care. Shorter terms had allowed AAAHC to return to an organization to assess its corrective actions or sustained compliance, but the interim surveys will accomplish the same goal.
Q: How will this change the accreditation process?
MR: For most organizations, there will be no change. Previously, when an organization received a one-year or six-month term, they would need to provide what corrective actions were taken to correct deficiencies cited during the survey. With the policy effective this year, the AAAHC will receive an organization's plans for implementing its improvement actions shortly after the survey and before its full completion, providing an increased level of oversight by AAAHC.
Q: What about facilities that received six-month or one-year accreditation in the past?
MR: Organizations that received six-month and one-year terms under the application of the old policy will need to re-apply for the re-survey. However, the new policy will be applied for the decision generated from the re-survey.
Q: What was the original reason behind the short periods?
MR: The shorter terms were to allow AAAHC to assess an organization's compliance with the standards when there were indications that sustained compliance with the standards should be assessed. AAAHC feels this oversight can be accomplished through plans for improvement and interim surveys.
Q: What was the stigma attached to organizations with shorter accreditation periods?
MR: While an accreditation term of six months or one year could be seen positively since the organizations achieved accreditation, AAAHC heard from organizations that some other entities, such as insurance companies, did not view the accreditation achievement in quite the same light. For example, a newly operational organization that had an Early Option Survey would need to have a re-survey in six months or one year so its track record of activities could be assessed. The need for the re-survey was not intended to be punitive or indicate that there was concern for patient care.
More Articles on AAAHC:
AAAHC Announces Changes to Accreditation Process for California Centers
Meadows Surgical Arts in GA Receives AAAHC Accreditation
Ask the Expert: Handwashing Compliance