Accreditation
Accreditation is a voluntary process through which a 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, followed by thorough on-site review by the AAAHC's expert surveyors, who are themselves, health care professionals.
The AAAHC Certificate of Accreditation is a sign that an organization has committed to providing high-quality care and that it has demonstrated its commitment by achieving AAAHC Standards. The real value of accreditation, however, lies in the consultative and educational process that precedes the awarding of the certificate. It is this on-going process of self evaluation, peer review and consultation that helps an organization improve its care and services.
Types of Organizations Accredited
Any organization that meets AAAHC Survey Eligibility Criteria may apply for an accreditation survey. The following types of organizations have found the AAAHC standards and survey procedures particularly appropriate and helpful in improving the quality of care they provide:
- Ambulatory health care clinics
- Ambulatory surgery centers
- Birthing centers
- College and university health centers
- Community health centers
- Dental group practices
- Diagnostic imaging centers
- Endoscopy centers
- Federally Qualified Community Health Centers
- Health Maintenance organizations (HMOs)
- Independent physician associations (IPAs)
- Indian health centers
- Lithotripsy centers
- Managed care organizations
- Medical Home Organizations
- Military health care facilities
- Multi-specialty group practices
- Occupational health centers
- Office based anesthesia organizations
- Office based surgery centers and practices
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeons’ offices
- Pain management centers
- Podiatry practices
- Radiation oncology centers
- Single specialty group practices
- Surgical recovery centers
- Urgent or immediate care centers
- Women’s health centers