Fullerton Surgical Center Leverages its AAAASF Accreditation to Gain Deem Status for its Multi-Specialty Practice

FULLERTON, Calif. -- When the Fullerton Surgical Center in Fullerton, Calif. started its ambulatory care services, one of its first priorities was to gain deem status for Medicare reimbursement.  The center recognized that through the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF)’s accreditation program, the facility would be able to gain its deem status in a timely manner.

"As a new center, we chose AAAASF to take advantage of their deeming status for Medicare because the standards provided to us were very clear and understandable. We have built them into our every day practice of providing excellent patient care and a safe environment for our employees," said Vickie Landig, administrator of the FullertonSurgicalCenter.

The FullertonSurgicalCenter, developed by Innovative Healthcare Management of El Segundo, Calif., is an 8,300-square-foot facility with four state-of-the-art operating rooms, one procedure room and a 16-bed pre/post op ward. The center also has state-of-the-art equipment to service the needs of the 26 physician partners who perform procedures at the center. These specialty procedures include orthopaedics, neurosurgery, pain management, head and neck surgery, and gastroenterology.  In addition, the center offers care in spinal procedures, such as  microdiscectomy for neck and lower back, anterior cervical discectomy, and  lumbar discectomy.

"One of the other real benefits of AAAASF accreditation was that it helped our staff to gain knowledge and insight to the process and how it helps to improve and maintain a high level of patient care," added Landig.

Fullerton represents the growing trend toward multi-specialty centers seeking accreditation through AAAASF's Gold Standard program to enhance the level of patient care provided.

"AAAASF continues to work on behalf of all surgical and medical specialties that seek Medicare certification to ensure that they receive the updates on any and all changes that CMS applies to ambulatory surgery facilities. Every three years we provide an in depth workshop and seminar to all those for whom this information is pertinent." James A. Yates, president of AAAASF.

Source: American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF)

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