Kent State University Health Services has been reaccredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). The AAAHC develops standards to advance and promote patient safety, quality care and value for ambulatory healthcare through peer-based accreditation processes, education and research.
The three-year accreditation recognizes that the quality of care Kent State University Health Services provides to its patients meets nationally recognized standards set by the AAAHC, and it is determined by an independent, external evaluation process. University Health Services scored a remarkable 100 percent on the AAAHC site visit and survey.
Last year, Kent State students made more than 17,000 appointments for University Health Services’ medical, women’s health and psychological clinics.
“It’s exciting and very rewarding for our staff to receive this recognition for their excellent work,” said Dr. Angela DeJulius, director of University Health Services at Kent State. “Accreditation is a rigorous, comprehensive process that evaluates many aspects of the health center, including the staff’s professional credentials, the facility and the quality of care we provide. This is a way to demonstrate our commitment to excellence in our facility and our services. Patients have many options when seeking healthcare, and knowing that that the health center is accredited should give the Kent State community confidence in choosing our team.”
Ambulatory healthcare organizations seeking accreditation by the AAAHC undergo an extensive self-assessment and on-site survey by AAAHC expert surveyors – physicians, nurses and administrators – who are actively involved in ambulatory healthcare. The survey is consultative and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization improve its care and services.
This represents the fourth AAAHC accreditation cycle for University Health Services, which previously earned accreditation in 2004, 2007 and 2010.
“Each year, the AAAHC updates the standards for accreditation,” DeJulius said. “By keeping up with these standards, we are continually adopting best practices in outpatient healthcare.”
University Health Services provides nonemergency outpatient care to members of the Kent State community, including examination and treatment for illness and minor injuries, women’s healthcare, laboratory, X-ray, physical therapy, pharmacy services and health education. Its staff includes board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed psychologists, pharmacists, physical therapist and radiographers.
For more information about Kent State University Health Services, visit www.kent.edu/uhs.
For more information about the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, visit www.aaahc.org.
# # #
Photo Caption:
Kent State University’s DeWeese Health Center, home of University Health Services, caters to Kent State students, faculty and staff. Kent State University Health Services was recently reaccredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.
Media Contact:
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595