Posted in: Announcements

AAAHC Releases v45 Standards to Elevate Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance in Ambulatory Care

Updated Standards strengthen readiness through new AI expectations, enhanced guidance, and a continued commitment to quality improvement (QI) and patient safety.

The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) today announced the release of v45 Standards across all accreditation and certification programs. Our new Standards introduce a comprehensive governance framework to help ambulatory health care organizations adopt and oversee AI responsibly.

Developed through a transparent, collaborative process that included expert committee review, input from Surveyors, accredited organizations, and other stakeholder feedback during a 30-day public comment period, the updated Standards reinforce AAAHC’s longstanding commitment to continuous QI, patient safety, and operational excellence while addressing the opportunities and challenges presented by rapidly evolving technologies.

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into ambulatory care, v45 establishes clear expectations for organizational governance rather than regulating specific technologies. The new AI governance Standards emphasize leadership accountability, risk assessment, cybersecurity, human oversight, transparency, and continuous readiness to help organizations implement AI safely, ethically, and responsibly while maintaining patient trust.

“AI alone does not improve quality or patient safety,” said Noel Adachi, MBA, President and CEO of AAAHC. “Our new Standards are built on a simple principle: technology changes, but good governance endures. Rather than regulating AI itself, we’ve established a practical framework that helps organizations adopt innovation responsibly through strong leadership, accountability, human oversight, and continuous quality improvement.”

“This technology presents tremendous opportunities to improve care,” said Steven Butz, MD, Chair of the AAAHC Board of Directors. “For organizations that chose to incorporate AI, the new AI Standards help them govern AI responsibly by emphasizing leadership accountability, human oversight, cybersecurity, and continuous QI. Version 45 provides a practical framework that can evolve with technology while keeping patient safety at the center.”

In addition to the new AI governance Standards, v45 includes refinements across AAAHC’s accreditation and certification programs to reflect evolving clinical practice, regulatory requirements, emerging risks, and the changing needs of ambulatory health care organizations.

For more than 45 years, AAAHC has partnered with ambulatory organizations to advance quality through evidence-based Standards, peer-based surveys, education, and practical resources. The v45 Standards continue that legacy by helping organizations navigate emerging technologies while strengthening quality, patient safety, and operational readiness.

In addition to the updated Standards, AAAHC continues to invest in technology and educational resources to strengthen accreditation readiness and operational excellence. These resources include the 1095 Engage platform, Bernie, AAAHC’s AI-powered accreditation assistant, and virtual and onsite Achieving Accreditation educational programs that provide organizations with ongoing access to practical guidance, education, and accreditation support.

AAAHC is releasing Version 45 across all program handbooks including Ambulatory, Medicare Deemed Status, Advanced Orthopaedic Certification, Health Plans, Health Plans FEHB, and Patient-Centered Medical Home. The Standards become effective for surveys conducted on or after December 15, 2026.

AAAHC encourages organizations to prepare now by attending Achieving Accreditation and utilizing implementation resources on its website.