The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) is seeking public comment for proposed revisions to its standards for 2009. Interested parties, such as AAAHC-accredited organizations, surveyors, member organizations, medical specialty groups, regulatory agencies and the public at large are asked to review and provide comments on the proposed revisions.

Chapter 2, Section II Credentialing and Privileging refers to “healthcare professionals who provide patient care.” Should this be understood to cover all licensed healthcare personnel in the organization? Are registered nurses, dietitians, radiology technicians, etc. covered? Should all be checked in the National Practitioner Databank (NPDB) as well as have primary source verification?

Standards 3.B.1 and 2 require “employment of personnel with qualifications commensurate with job responsibilities and authority.” To locate a state-specific practice act, access your state’s licensing or regulating authority’s website.Having an understanding of your own state’s practice act will allow you to tailor your organization’s written job descriptions while ensuring that staff work assignments remain within the confines of each employee’s appropriate scope of practice.

The AAAHC Institute for Quality Improvement is now offering reports for purchase from its 2007 Non-Clinical Ambulatory Surgery study.There are reports on Cataract Extraction with Lens Insertion, Colonoscopy, Knee Arthroscopy with Meniscectomy, and an Initial Report on Liposuction.