SKOKIE, Ill. -- Last year was a banner year for accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). The AAAHC completed more than 1,000 accreditation surveys in 2006, a 21 percent increase from 2005. At the end of 2006 there were almost 3,000 AAAHC-accredited outpatient healthcare centers, up almost 20 percent from the end of 2005.
"We saw substantial growth last year in the number of outpatient health care facilities that recognize the importance of accreditation, continuing a trend that s been evident for the last six years," said John Burke, PhD, executive director and CEO of the AAAHC. "We expect the double-digit growth in the number of AAAHC-accredited facilities to continue in the immediate future."
The steep rise in the number of AAAHC-accredited organizations reflects growth in ambulatory healthcare and an expansion in the number and complexity of procedures performed in outpatient settings, Burke said.
Key among outpatient healthcare trends affecting interest in accreditation are:
-- A general increase in the number of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), often as part of physician-owned practices and/or related to physician ownership of ASCs
-- The growing number of states requiring or encouraging accreditation for office-based surgery centers (OBS)
-- Advances in minimally invasive surgery and anesthesia techniques that promote a wider range of ASC procedures for more patient procedures
-- Preference among some patients for procedures performed in non-hospital settings; and
-- The lower costs, and relative ease of scheduling and performing certain procedures in non-hospital settings
In 2006, ASCs represented the majority of AAAHC-accredited facilities, followed by OBS. AAAHC anticipates continued strong accreditation rates among these types of centers, as well as those that focus on:
-- Gastrointestinal surgeries/endoscopic procedures
-- Primary care
-- OBS procedures requiring higher levels of anesthesia
"We also expect to see a rise in accreditation demand among managed care organizations," Burke said. In addition, the Accreditation Association has recently won the contract to accredit all United States Air Force ambulatory healthcare clinics, and the United States Coast Guard has taken up its additional option year provided for under its current contract with the association.
The association is committed to making the survey process work as a self-assessment and learning tool, promoting education and highlighting excellence in quality ambulatory patient care. AAAHC hosts four major education seminars annually to prepare organizations for accreditation. It also develops tailor-made programs to address education and/or quality improvement needs as required by managed-care organizations and government organizations with AAAHC contract arrangements.
"Accreditation is expanding to incorporate all types of outpatient services, beyond outpatient surgical centers," said Burke. "Accreditation processes and standards should evolve in step with advancements and changes in healthcare. We recognize that healthcare quality improvement should be industry-wide, not limited to acute-care facilities. The AAAHC, for example, accredits facilities as diverse as university student health centers, Native American health centers, large primary care group practices, and HMOs."
Source: Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)