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Don’t overlook AAAHC accreditation handbook updates

Ambulatory Safety Monitor, January 27, 2005

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Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) seeking AAAHC reaccreditation may be at a disadvantage if they overlook changes made each year in the AAAHC Accreditation Handbook. Joan Riebock, senior director of program operations at the AAAHC, attributes several deficiencies found on reaccreditation surveys to this easily avoidable error.

Read the fine print

Each time a new handbook comes out, check it closely for revisions. For example, in 2004, the accreditor made a small but significant change in standard 2.II.B.5, which appears in the governance chapter. Organizations now must obtain information from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) during the time of reappointment. "If you were accredited in 2001 or 2002, this standard didn't exist in the handbook at the time," Riebock says. "This is why it's so important to ensure your organization gains understanding and knowledge of the standards on a regular basis."

Note: Standard 2.II.B.3.f related to the initial appointment also includes the requirement to query the NPDB.

Put 2.11.B.5 in your credentialing program

Don't overlook the rewording change in Chapter 2-it is now a requirement. To comply with the standard, Riebock says the person responsible for carrying out the credentials verification process should update the organization's policy accordingly and obtain the information from the NPDB.

The NPDB is a flagging system intended to facilitate a comprehensive review of healthcare professionals' credentials. The information intends to direct discreet inquiries about a practitioner's licensure, professional society memberships, medical malpractice payment history, and record of clinical privileges.

Access NPDB at www.npdb-hipdb.com. To access the information, your organization must first register. After registration, your facility can update information as needed online, although in some cases NPDB may require a printed, signed, and mailed form. 

Stay on top of the game

Implement changes in your policies and procedures as soon as revisions come out, says Riebock. Be proactive: don't wait until your reaccreditation is up to start making modifications.

As stated in the AAAHC Accreditation Handbook, all accredited organizations are expected to maintain compliance with standards. This means making sure that your organization revises appropriate policies and procedures each year as the standards are updated.

Magnifying glass not required

Don't let the fear of missing a small change intimidate you. The AAAHC has done the detective work for you. In the back of your handbook, Appendix A explains all the revisions made from the prior year.

Now is a perfect time to institute a new approach to accommodating the standards changes as the 2005 revisions were released on the AAAHC Web site, www.aaahc.org, in December.

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