Student Health prepares for national accreditation

Jennifer Vaughan presents her game called “For the Record” to Jacob Jones. (Contributed photos)

East Carolina University Student Health Services (SHS) hosted an Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) fair on March 10 for all SHS employees.

The fair was intended to help prepare employees for the upcoming AAAHC survey scheduled in June. It included interactive games on several AAAHC chapters such as patient rights, quality of care and quality improvement. Participants who successfully completed all the games had the opportunity to enter their name in a drawing to win homemade baked goods, gift cards and other prizes. SHS staff gave positive feedback on the fair.

Dr. Bela Aneja plays “We’re Off to See the Wizard,” which fits well with SHS’s 2020 AAAHC preparation theme of “The Wizard of Oz.”

AAAHC is a private, nonprofit organization formed in 1979. Its 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.

AAAHC accreditation is a voluntary process that involves an onsite visit for surveyors to measure a health care organization’s quality of services and performance against nationally recognized standards.

In addition to the fair, SHS preparation for accreditation is an ongoing process. Other preparation efforts include mock inspections, educational sessions, self-assessment of AAAHC standards, and monthly chapter captain meetings.

SHS was re-accredited by AAAHC in 2017, demonstrating staff commitment to providing the highest level of quality of care to ECU students.

Jennie Grimes shows off her shooting skills for her game, “Laboratory Launch.”

Kim Joyner used her “Swashbuckling with Captain Kim” game to inform providers and staff about the AAAHC standards on quality improvement and risk management.

-by Kim Joyner, Student Health Services