January 2008 - “AAAASF has been bombarded with emails and phone calls from frantic doctors in search of answers about the New York law requiring accreditation...and they have come to the right place,” says Jeff Pearcy, Executive Director. “Our process is less cumbersome and more cost effective than any other program out there. Most facilities accomplish the process without the assistance of consultants and that saves them money. AAAASF is working directly with prominent NY gastrointestinal physicians to investigate special needs and to develop solutions specific to their discipline. We are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to the NY GIs. We also have a tremendous group of Accreditation Specialists that will take them by the hand and make the process less stressful,” he adds.

"There is such a plethora of subspecialty ambulatory surgical facilities today and we are very pleased that AAAASF is able to provide accreditation that is appropriate for our specialty. The inspection was relevant to gastrointestinal tract endoscopy and allowed us to concentrate on related issues, thus providing superior care to our patients. We are very pleased with your streamlined process, as it does not take time away from day to day operations. There was very little paperwork to complete in the application process and the office was extremely friendly and helpful whenever I had a question," says M. Samir Ayasso, M.D. of the Digestive Health & Endoscopy Center in Pittsburgh , PA.

In New York and throughout the country, AAAASF already accredits more office-based surgery facilities than any other accrediting body and is reaching out to all physicians to offer a helping hand. “We offer a concise, user-friendly set of standards that focuses on patient safety and best practices. Over the last several years, we have refined our standards and have tried to eliminate the busy work for facilities,” says Mr. Pearcy. One component of the New York law requires reporting of unanticipated events after surgery to the State. AAAASF has already been requiring this type of reporting along with random case reviews for the last seven years.

The Department of Health (DOH) has designated the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) as an authorized agency to be used by office-based surgery practices to meet new accreditation requirements in New York . “ AAAASF has worked with the State of New York over the last several years to assist in the development of the new law, and w e believe that New York has taken a critical step to help ensure patient safety by requiring careful oversight of the office-based ambulatory medical and surgical care environment. We are appreciative of the confidence the DOH has expressed in AAAASF by choosing us to continue to work with them in the implementation and monitoring of this important legislative initiative,” says AAAASF President Dr. Alan Gold.

The New York law requires office-based surgery performed by physicians requiring moderate sedation, deep sedation, or general anesthesia, and certain liposuction procedures be performed in a setting that has obtained and maintained accreditation from an entity approved by the state Health Commissioner.

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