After a lot of hard work and continued dedication by our team we are pleased to announce that Chestnut Hills Dental has received AAAHC Accreditation!
Accreditation
is a voluntary process through which an ambulatory health care
organization is able to measure the quality of its services and
performance against nationally recognized standards. The accreditation
process involves self-assessment by the organization, as well as a
thorough review by the AAAHC's expert surveyors, who are themselves,
ambulatory health care professionals.
The AAAHC Certificate of Accreditation is a symbol to others that an
organization has committed to providing high-quality care and that it
has demonstrated its commitment by measuring up to the AAAHC's high
standards. The real value of accreditation, however, lies in the
consultative and educational process that precedes the awarding of the
certificate. It is this self-analysis, peer review and consultation that
ultimately helps an organization improve its
care and services. Getting ready to undergo a surgical procedure is a
serious undertaking. If you are considering or scheduled for surgery,
you should be prepared to ask your physicians questions not only about
their personal
credentials and training but also about their practice and abilities to perform the procedure they are considering.
Looking for the AAAHC seal of accreditation can help you make some of
these
informed choices. Accreditation by the Accreditation Association for
Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) means that the organization, whether it
is a multi-specialty ambulatory surgery center or a single-specialty
office based practice, has undergone a thorough review of its policies
and practices and delivers quality
patient care.
(Please visit the official AAAHC Website for more information) |
Below are some examples of what the Accreditation Association looks
for when surveying an organization:
Patient Rights
> Are patients treated with respect, consideration and dignity?
> Are patients provided with complete information concerning their
diagnosis, evaluation, treatment and prognosis and given the opportunity
to participate in decisions involving their health care?
> Are patients given information regarding their rights and
responsibilities, services available to them at the organization,
provisions for after-hours and emergency care, fees, payment policies
and credentialing of health care professionals.
Governance
> Is there a process for identifying, analyzing, reporting and preparing
an action plan for adverse incidents?
> Does the organization have an appropriate procedure for validating the
qualifications of individuals who provide health care services?
> Does the organization have an appropriate procedure for determining
what types of procedures a health care professional may provide?
Administration
> Does the organizations maintain an appropriate and secure health
information system?
> Are there appropriate personnel policies?
> Does the organization do periodic patient satisfaction surveys?
Quality of Care Provided
> Are patients contacted in a timely manner regarding significant
problems and/or abnormal lab findings?
> Are there mechanisms in place to ensure the transfer of patients when
appropriate?
Quality Management and Improvement
> Does the organization have procedures in place for reviewing their
quality of care?
> Does the organization have an appropriate quality improvement program?
> Does the organization have a risk management program designed to
protect the life and welfare of its patients and employees?
Clinical Records and Health Information
> Does the organization have an organized system for collecting,
processing, maintaining and storing patient records?
> Are the presence or absence of allergies and untoward reactions
towards drugs and other materials recorded in a uniform location in
patient charts?
> Are patient records transferred to the new health care professional
when a patient is transferred?
Professional Improvement
> Does the organization encourage employee participation in seminars,
workshops and other educational activities that are relevant to its
missions and objectives?
> Does the organization continuously monitor the maintenance of
licensure and/or certification of professional personnel?
Facilities and Environment
> Does the organization comply with all state and local building codes
and regulations?
> Does the organization have the necessary personnel, equipment, and
procedures to handle medical and other emergencies that may arise?
> Is the space allotted for a particular function or service adequate
for the functions performed therein?
Anesthesia Services
> Are the anesthesia services provided by the organization adequately
supervised by one or more physician or dentist qualified by the
governing body?
> Does the organization receive the informed consent of the patient for
the nature of the anesthesia planned?
> Does the organization administered have the appropriate resuscitative
equipment for patients receiving anesthesia?
Surgical and Related Services
> Are the surgical procedures performed in the facility limited to those
procedures approved by the governing body?
> Are surgical procedures performed by health care professionals that
are licensed to perform such procedures and have been granted privileges
by the governing body?
> Does the organization have a safe environment for treating surgical
patients, including adequate safeguards to protect from cross-infection?
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