Student Health Services prepares for national accreditation

At the Student Health Services fair, left to right, graduate assistant Sara Ridder and quality improvement manager Kim Joyner, present a game called, “Swashbucking with Captain Kim” to Nadya Majette Elliot, health promotion project manager, and Joyce Bullock, Health Information. (Contributed photos).

East Carolina University’s Student Health Services hosted an AAAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care) fair March 11 for health services employees as a way to prepare them for the June AAAHC survey for national accreditation.

The event offered interactive games that educated participants on issues such as patient rights, quality of care and quality improvements. Participants who successfully completed all games had an opportunity to enter a drawing to win homemade baked goods and rain gear.

At left, Kenzie Bundy, Health Information, plays “Save Billy’s Kids,” presented by Greg Morris, Pharmacy.

Student Health Services’ preparation for AAAHC accreditation is an ongoing process that, in addition to the fair, includes mock inspections, education sessions, self-assessment of AAAHC standards and bimonthly chapter captain meetings. SHS was re-accredited by AAAHC in 2011. The accreditation certification demonstrates commitment to provide the highest level of quality of care to ECU students.

AAAHC is a private, non-profit organization formed in 1979. Their primary purpose is to develop standards to advance and promote patient safety, quality care and value for ambulatory health care through peer-based accreditation process, education and research. The AAAHC Accreditation is a voluntary process which involves an onsite visit for surveyors to measure health care organizations’ quality of services and performance against nationally recognized standards.

Pictured left to right, Justin Elliot, Administration, discusses the rules of “We’ve got this in the Bag-go!” presented by Ellen Goldberg, Nursing.