A Year of Partnership, Progress, and What’s Ahead

As we close this year, I extend heartfelt appreciation to you—our clients—for your commitment to safe, high-quality, patient-centered care. Accreditation is not simply a milestone; it is an ongoing journey that strengthens governance, builds staff confidence, and most importantly, assures patients they are safe, respected, and valued every time they walk through your doors.

A year in review

Many of you have already experienced 1095 Engage, our new accreditation management system. What began as a vision to move beyond outdated tools has become a foundation for the future. The platform streamlines renewals, strengthens accountability, integrates CMS and state requirements, and fosters communication and transparency.

Adoption has not been without challenges—progress rarely does. But like our Standards, 1095 Engage is a living system, shaped by your experience and feedback. The goal is not change for change’s sake, but to give you better tools, visibility, and consistency so we can all focus on what matters most: delivering safe, high-quality care.

Your feedback this year—through Voice of the Customer research, post-survey evaluations, and direct communication—has been invaluable. You praised the professionalism and fairness of our Surveyors, the responsiveness of our staff, and the consultative guidance during surveys. You also asked for clearer pre-survey checklists, stronger training and onboarding, more consistent communication, and a smoother 1095 Engage experience. We hear you—and we are acting.

Recognizing your efforts

Accreditation is demanding. Whether your first or fifth time, it requires diligence, teamwork, and resilience. Your commitment is evident in the stories you share and the pride you take in achieving accreditation—impacting patients and communities nationwide.

Looking ahead: Strategic Plan 2026–2029

Our next four-year Strategic Plan, shaped by your input, focuses on:

Driving measurable improvements in patient care through evidence-based Standards and thought leadership
Targeting growth where AAAHC offers unique value through agility, specialization, and advocacy
Building efficient, client-centered operations that reduce administrative burden and enhance service
Investing in our people and partnerships to sustain excellence and expand our influence

In line with your priorities, we are enhancing client service, expanding education, elevating Surveyor training, strengthening communication channels, adding client resources, and continuing 1095 Engage improvements.

Moving forward together

Ambulatory care is evolving rapidly. Complex procedures are shifting to outpatient settings, new technologies are transforming care delivery, and patients expect greater access and value. In this environment, AAAHC’s role is more vital than ever. As the only accrediting organization designed specifically for ambulatory care, we remain your partner in readiness and improvement—1095 Strong, quality every day.

As CEO, I commit to listening, investing, and standing alongside you. We will refine what isn’t working, celebrate your successes, and provide the insights and innovations that light your path.

Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your candor. Together, we will continue to raise the bar for patient care in the year ahead and beyond.

Warm regards,
Noel Adachi
President & CEO, AAAHC

Own the 1095-Day Cycle: Drive Continuous Compliance with AAAHC Standards

Achieving AAAHC Accreditation marks a major milestone, but sustaining compliance every day of the 1095-day cycle proves an organization’s commitment to operational excellence. Don’t wait for the next survey. Embed AAAHC Standards into daily operations and lead with intention.

With the launch of v44 Standards in mid-August 2025, now is the time to update policies, procedures, and practices to reflect the latest requirements. Utilize internal audits and gap assessments to identify and address compliance issues before they impact patient care or survey outcomes.

Start with the Governing Body’s structured review cycle. Standard GOV.240 requires annual oversight of key programs, including quality improvement, patient rights, credentialing, and safety. Document these reviews thoroughly and ensure meeting minutes reflect active governance and strategic alignment.

Maintain credentialing and privileging processes as outlined in CPV.100-CPV.130. Reappoint licensed independent practitioners on schedule and verify licensure, liability coverage, and peer review data. Strengthen your quality improvement (QI) program by conducting at least two QI studies during the cycle, with one study showing sustained improvement, as required by QUA.240.

Operationalize policies, particularly in high-risk areas, such as infection control, medication safety, and emergency preparedness. Standards ADM.120-ADM.160 require staff orientation, training, and competency assessments within 30 days of hire and annually thereafter. Make sure staff understand and apply these policies in practice.

While not all Standards in v44 have changed, they still warrant a comprehensive review of an organization’s overall compliance. Establish a proactive audit schedule that includes provider and personnel records, clinical documentation, equipment maintenance, and key focus areas, such as emergency preparedness drills, infection control tracking, and medication storage protocols. Conduct gap assessments routinely, especially following updates to AAAHC Standards or internal organizational changes. Use the results to update policies, train staff, and resolve issues before they are identified during a survey.

Take action today. Integrate AAAHC Standards into workflows and leadership oversight and stay on track to deliver safe, high-quality care every single day of the 1095-day cycle.

Ready to Elevate your Quality Improvement Efforts in 2026?

The 2026 AAAHC Benchmarking Study subscription officially launches on January 5, 2026, and preregistration is now open. These annual studies serve as a vital resource for organizations dedicated to continuous improvement. By registering between now and May 15, 2026, participants will gain access to up to four targeted benchmarking studies, receive insights into performance gaps and improvement strategies, and learn from opportunities to compare results with peer organizations across the country.

Benchmarking Study topics focus on key deficiency areas found in the AAAHC Quality Roadmap, the annual review of surveys conducted over the preceding year. Each topic in the 2026 Benchmarking Study catalog was found to have more than a 10% deficiency rate—making them high-impact opportunities for improvement.

The 2026 studies include:

Allergy Documentation
Emergency Preparedness
Hand Hygiene
Medication Reconciliation
Safe Injection Practices

AAAHC also offers two clinical study options:

Cataract Extraction with Lens Insertion
Colonoscopy Practices

Final Benchmarking Study reports provide valuable guidance on how to use results for quality improvement and strategies for improvement from best performing organizations. AAAHC encourages organizations to review their last survey report and compare their results with that of the study topics and utilize benchmarking as a tool to improve performance.

AAAHC Quality Institute Benchmarking Studies offer participating organizations

Objective comparison to similar organizations on key performance measures
Results specific to the ambulatory care environment
Identification of improvement opportunities
Brief and simple to use study tools
Secure data collection
Reports that are easy to read and include how to use findings for quality improvement
Opportunities to trend performance over time through repeat participation in the same study topic over multiple study periods

Early registration ensures access to participation in a maximum of four Benchmarking Studies and timely access to study materials.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a collaborative, data-driven journey toward excellence.

Learn more and pre-register today.

Conferences & Exhibits

National Association of Community Health Centers, February 9–12, Washington, D.C.
Regent Surgical Health, February 17–19, Las Vegas, NV
Southern College Health Association, March 16–18, Raleigh, NC