Spectrum - Volume 20 Issue 32 June 4, 1998 - UHS receives accreditation

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UHS receives accreditation

Spectrum Volume 20 Issue 32 - June 4, 1998

University Student Health Services (USHS) has been awarded the certificate of accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. (AAAHC), according to Brian Warren, director of University Student Health Services and University Counseling Center. The award means that the Health Services has met nationally recognized standards for quality health care set by the Chicago-based accrediting organization.
"We're pleased and proud to have achieved accreditation," Warren said. "We think accreditation is very important and has helped us to improve the quality of care we provide. We feel that students are the ultimate benefactors from our participation in the accreditation program."
To achieve accreditation, USHS underwent an extensive on-site survey of its facilities and services. The physician surveyor evaluated all aspects of patient care and survey findings resulted in a favorable decision.
Not all health services seek accreditation and not all who undergo an on-site survey receive favorable decisions. Virginia Tech is one of three state-wide student health services that have achieved on-going accreditation and three years ago was the second in the state to receive this status. Nationally, there are fewer than 100 accredited college student-health services.
In a letter to USHS, Maggie Bridwell, the AAAHC president said, "The dedication and effort necessary to achieve accreditation is substantial. University Student Health Services is to be commended for this accomplishment."
The AAAHC conducts its accreditation program on a national basis and has accredited more than 800 ambulatory health-care organizations including single and multi-specialty group practices, ambulatory and office-based surgery centers, college and university health services, health-maintenance organizations and other managed-care systems, dental group practices, community health centers, and occupational health centers.
AAAHC is a private, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization. It receives professional guidance and financial support from the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Academy of Dental Group Practice, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American College Health Association, American College of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Association of Freestanding Oncology Centers, Federated Ambulatory Surgery Association, Medical Group Management Association, National Association of Community Health Centers, and the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society.
University Student Health Services will move this summer to a newly constructed facility located across the street from Litton-Reeves.