AAAHC Values Client Feedback

Survey process leads to quality improvement
The time an organization invests in completing the post-survey evaluation is well spent. AAAHC places significant value on client feedback following the accreditation/certification survey process. Feedback received from clients is a vital mechanism for AAAHC’s own quality improvement efforts and facilitates
an accreditation/certification process that is effective, consistent, and aligned with the evolving standards of excellence in ambulatory health care.

One key area in which AAAHC applies this feedback is in the evaluation and continuous improvement of Surveyor performance. Following conclusion of the accreditation/certification survey process, AAAHC invites clients to evaluate Surveyors on attributes, such as professionalism, communication
effectiveness, knowledge of Standards, and objectivity. AAAHC reviews this feedback systematically to identify both outstanding performance and opportunities for improvement. This may lead to enhanced training or process changes to provide a more consistent, effective, and positive onsite survey experience.

AAAHC Surveyors also use this feedback to improve their own onsite performance. Surveyors receive performance reports summarizing aggregated, anonymous client evaluations, which they review as part of their ongoing professional development. This feedback allows Surveyors to reflect on their approach to communication, Standards interpretation, and team engagement. It encourages self- assessment and accountability, reinforcing AAAHC’s commitment to maintaining a collaborative, educational, and objective onsite experience.

In addition to enhancing Surveyor performance, AAAHC uses aggregated client feedback to assess the overall survey process. Identified trends and comments may highlight challenges related to pre-survey preparation, onsite coordination, or post-survey reporting and communication. In response, AAAHC leverages these insights to improve or create educational materials, clarify expectations, and streamline processes to reduce burden and support an efficient and effective experience for our clients.

Overall, the use of survey experience feedback reflects AAAHC’s dedication to continuous improvement—not just for our clients—but within our own operations. By incorporating client perspectives into our own quality framework, AAAHC strengthens the integrity, relevance, and value of the accreditation/certification process while also supporting our mission to improve health care quality through accreditation.

Introducing the 2025 Kershner Award Finalists

Summer is here and so is Bernie’s season! AAAHC’s Institute for Quality Improvement kicked off the festivities by notifying the 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

Improving Day of Surgery Cancellation Rate — Walnut Creek Endoscopy & Surgery Center, Walnut Creek, CA
Blood Glucose Documentation Improvement Study — The University of Kansas Health System, Indian Creek Campus Ambulatory Surgery Center, Overland Park, KS
Warming up to Quality: The Normothermia Initiative — Surgery Center San Carlos, San Carlos, CA

Primary care

Automating Immunization Compliance — Georgia Institute of Technology – Stamps Health Services, Atlanta, GA
Antibiotic Prescriptions for Urinary Tract Infections — University Health Services at The University of Texas, Austin, TX
Closing the Immunization Gap: A Quality Improvement Initiative to Increase Vaccine Uptake in Student Health — New York University Student Health Center, New York, NY

Congratulations to 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.

Ensuring Quality Patient Care: Why Credentialing and Privileging Matters

In today’s health care landscape, ensuring patient safety and delivering high-quality care are paramount. A fundamental step in achieving this goal lies in the complementary processes of credentialing and privileging clinicians who provide patient care services within an organization.

Credentialing is the systematic process of obtaining, verifying, and assessing the qualifications of clinicians. This process confirms that they possess the necessary education, training, and experience to provide safe and effective care. Privileging defines the specific scope of patient care services that qualified clinicians are competent to perform within an organization’s established parameters. This process evaluates their ability to perform these services by considering their credentials and past performance, while also adhering to relevant state laws and regulations.

Why are these processes so critical? First, they establish accountability from the medical staff to the governing body, forming the bedrock of an organization’s quality journey. By ensuring only qualified and privileged clinicians are caring for patients, an organization builds a foundation of trust and safety. Furthermore, it fosters confidence among fellow clinicians, assuring them of their peers’ competence. Importantly, credentialing and privileging are not just best practices — they are mandates required by regulatory and accreditation bodies such as AAAHC.

These requirements extend beyond physicians and dentists to include a broad range of health care professionals who independently diagnose, test, treat, or prescribe, such as nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and psychologists. Even contracted clinicians providing patient services must undergo this rigorous evaluation. Importantly, an organization must conduct these processes independently. Reliance on external credentialing decisions is not permissible.

Implementing a thorough credentialing and privileging system involves several key steps, from establishing minimum qualifications and defining the scope of services to creating application forms and documented workflows. Continuous monitoring of credentials, regular peer review, and ongoing process evaluation are essential for maintaining a culture of quality and safety. By embracing comprehensive credentialing and privileging an organization demonstrates its unwavering commitment to providing exceptional patient care.