August 7, 2000

Elkhart, IN — The Centre, P.C., a comprehensive, community-based plastic surgery practice, has received accreditation from the American Association of Accreditation for Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF).

To achieve accreditation, The Centre had to meet the AAAASF’s stringent national standards for equipment, operating safety, personnel and surgeon credentials. As an accredited facility, The Centre will continue to be monitored by the AAAASF, including an annual in-house evaluation as well as a formal site inspection every three years.

A voluntary process, AAAASF accreditation is the patient’s assurance of safety, quality and efficiency in the outpatient surgery environment. It is a program that has achieved wide recognition from the medical community, state legislatures, state and national health care agencies, insurance companies and patients. AAAASF guidelines are considered the gold standard, providing the highest level of safety and quality in ambulatory surgical care.

Among other criteria, to receive accreditation an ambulatory surgery facility must:

• Comply with applicable local, state and federal regulations including fire safety, sanitation and building codes for the protection of patients and medical personnel;
• Adhere to federal laws and regulations affecting its operations, such as OSHA blood-borne pathogens standards, hazardous waste standards, and the Americans with Disabilities Act;
• Utilize advanced instruments and monitoring devices for patient safety during surgery and in the recovery period;
• Allow surgery to be performed only by qualified surgeons who have privileges to perform the same surgical procedures in an accredited hospital; and
• Provide for the administration of general anesthesia, when appropriate, by a board-certified or board-eligible anesthesiologist or a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

A particular and important distinction between AAAASF accreditation and other accreditation is the AAAASF requirement that surgeons be certified in surgical specialties recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Most private insurance carriers recognize accreditation by the AAAASF for reimbursement of covered procedures. In addition, AAAASF accreditation has been approved by some state Departments of Health [what about Indiana?] in lieu of state licensure and, with additional standards, has been approved for deemed status in lieu of Medicare certification.

The vast majority of ambulatory surgery facilities are unaccredited, operating independent of any peer review and inspection process. Now, The Centre, P.C. joins the more than 550 outpatient surgical facilities in the U.S. which have voluntarily undertaken and proudly received AAAASF accreditation.

The Centre, P.C. is a comprehensive plastic surgery practice that delivers expert professional care to patients in Elkhart and South Bend, Indiana, the Michiana area, and Chicago. With specialists in the fields of hand surgery and therapy, reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery and skin health, The Centre offers a unique variety of services and treatment options, including an injury prevention program for businesses and their employees.

 

Elkhart Office

RiverPointe Medical Building
500 Arcade Ave., Suite 300
Elkhart, IN 46514
Phone: 574-296-9100
FAX: 574-293-1511

Mishawaka Office

611 EAST DOUGLAS ROAD, SUITE 108
MISHAWAKA, IN 46545
PHONE: 574-968-9100
FAX: 574-243-1141

ASPS ASAPS AAAASF