Register today for a complimentary pre‑conference workshop at ASCA 2024

Plan your Pre-Survey Path

Know your planning paths

AAAHC offers tools, resources, and education throughout your pre-survey planning. These insights provide meaningful value to continuously improve quality.

Review our survey types

  • Early Option Surveys (EOS) apply to organizations not accredited by AAAHC, meet AAAHC eligibility criteria, and have been providing services for fewer than six months.
  • Initial accreditation surveys apply to organizations currently not accredited by AAAHC and have been providing services for at least six months before the onsite survey, or organizations with expired AAAHC accreditation that are again seeking accreditation through AAAHC.
  • Reaccreditation surveys apply to AAAHC-accredited organizations and seek continuation of accreditation following a three-year term.
  • Interim surveys are conducted for AAAHC-accredited organizations and for which oversight is required to assess ongoing compliance with the accreditation Standards.
  • AAAHC holds “deeming authority” from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to conduct deemed status accreditation for ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs).
  • Random surveys support the AAAHC’s ongoing quality assurance initiatives, an accredited organization may be selected for a random survey from 9 to 30 months after an accreditation survey.
  • Discretionary surveys are conducted “for cause,” when concerns have been raised about an accredited organization’s continued compliance with AAAHC Standards.

These survey types are also similarly reflected in our certification programs.

Understand important milestones on your journey.

Attend Achieving Accreditation


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Achieving Accreditation

Strengthen your accreditation readiness

Achieving Accreditation is an interactive, immersive event designed to help you learn and prepare for your AAAHC survey while developing a deeper understanding of AAAHC Standards. We are facing the future together…1095 Strong!

Learn more about Achieving Accreditation

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Kershner Quality Improvement Award

Check out exemplary studies

Kershner QI Awards recognize excellence in quality improvement methodology and outcomes for AAAHC-accredited organizations in both the surgical/procedural and primary care space.

Learn more about QI innovation