Introducing the 2024 Kershner Finalists

Summer is here and so is Bernie’s season! Earlier this month, AAAHC’s Institute for Quality Improvement notified the six finalists, three Surgical/Procedural and three Primary Care organizations, of their status. Over the course of the next several months, AAAHC will be celebrating the achievements of these organizations, culminating in the announcement of this year’s winners during the December onsite Achieving Accreditation in Las Vegas.

SURGICAL/PROCEDURAL

Reducing Same-Day Cancellations of Colonoscopy Patients
— Orchard Surgical Center in Salem, New Hampshire
Operating Room Terminal Cleaning Effectiveness Study
— Complete Surgery Mesquite in Mesquite, Texas
Total Joint Postoperative Length of Stay
— Elliot 1-Day Surgery Center in Manchester, New Hampshire

PRIMARY CARE

Improving Depression Screening Rates for Students
— New York University Health Center in New York, New York
Increasing Rate of Chlamydia Screening Among Women
— Sutter Bay Medical Foundation – Palo Alto Medical Foundation in Emeryville, California
Accelerated Hepatitis C Screening of Patient Population
— Tanana Chiefs Conference in Fairbanks, Alaska

We congratulate the finalists for their successful efforts to improve quality and patient safety. Their work to move the needle on quality improvement provides inspiration for all health care organizations.

Self-service benefits unlock value of 1095 Engage

AAAHC has integrated the 1095 Strong, quality every day philosophy into every aspect of the 1095 Engage accreditation management system design. This philosophy reflects our commitment to partner with the entire ambulatory care market as they strive for continued quality improvement.

The 1095 Engage accreditation management system differentiates between user roles and other contacts within an organization with designated responsibilities associated with accreditation administration and AAAHC Standards compliance. Users provide inputs for the distinct roles and responsibilities and 1095 Engage includes steps necessary to ensure that an accredited organization selects appropriate data access and read/ write permissions. These permissions provide the essential information to complete the Application/Profile as required for Standards compliance.

1095 Engage system users serve an essential role in ensuring AAAHC has the information needed to effectively deliver accreditation services to an organization. Additionally, individuals designated with system user responsibilities control individual access and permissions to information on the portal. Through their interaction with 1095 Engage, they are accountable for maintaining an accurate, up-to-date Profile, and facilitating the completion of accreditation process requirements including initial and triennial application update and submission, Plan of Correction, Annual Attestation, and intracycle Change Notification submissions.

User access provides the freedom and flexibility for an organization to designate which contacts have read only or read/write access and approval authority.

By providing this structure, AAAHC seeks to ensure consistently updated information that minimizes errors. The direct access to enter and verify information empowers organizations to manage their own data and access levels as turnover takes place.

There are four levels of 1095 Engage system users. Users differ based on information, read, write, and approval authorities as outlined on the next page. Note that the titles assigned to these system roles may not equate to the titles used within the organization and should not be confused with organization position titles. Additionally, an individual can be assigned multiple roles (e.g., assigned both Client Admin and Chief Medical Officer). In doing so, they will be granted the highest level of permissions.

1095 Engage system user levels and permissions table

AAAHC does not require an organization to assign individuals to serve in Client Admin 2 and Client General system user roles. However, these roles are a great option for individuals supporting the organization by monitoring progress and the accreditation / certification process but may not be directly involved with day-to-day facility operations and compliance management.

1095 Engage contacts assist AAAHC and inform Surveyors

The Client Admin or CMO can add, remove, or modify 1095 Engage user permissions for their organization in the Access Requests and Permissions link on the client menu. An individual user can be connected to more than one organization, and their permissions may vary depending on the role assigned within each organization.

In addition to 1095 Engage system users, AAAHC requests information on the individuals within an organization with specific designated responsibilities. Distinct from users, these roles, referred to as Contacts are documented in the organization’s Profile. They assist AAAHC in understanding who, within an organization, performs various administrative and clinical functions. This information is useful to the Surveyor when preparing for and delivering the onsite survey. The AAAHC Responsibility Designations collected in an organization’s Profile include:

Primary Contact
Chief Medical Officer
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Administrative Officer
QI Manager
Risk Manager
IP&C Manager
Safety Manager
Chief Financial Officer
Laser Safety Officer
Core Leader I, Advanced Certification Program only
Core Leader II, Advanced Certification Program only

System users (excluding Client General) can edit and update these designated responsibilities in the Contacts section of the organization’s Profile. An individual can be assigned multiple Responsibility Designations, and any of the system users can also be assigned to these roles based on the unique structure of the organization. If the 1095 Engage system user has additional roles at the organization, they will need to be added as an additional contact. This may require entering a unique email address. In this case, contact AAAHC for guidance. Unless assigned a system user role, contacts do not interact with and do not have access to the 1095 Engage system.

Organizations that are already logged in are well on their way to experiencing the benefits of this new system. To update the organization’s Profile, system users, and contacts, we encourage organizations to visit aaahc.org/1095Engage

Access the 1095 Engage training here

AAAHC is readily available to assist organizations with adding system users or contacts. Contact info@aaahc.org, and be sure to include the organization’s legal name and organization ID number so that our Account Managers can expeditiously provide support.

Conferences & Exhibits

National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC )
August 24–26, Atlanta, GA, Booth 510
California Ambulatory Surgery Association (CASA)
September 4–6, Anaheim, CA, Booth 37
Becker’s Healthcare
October 30–November 2, Chicago, IL