Let’s face it: no matter how much we love our jobs, working in healthcare can become exhausting. What’s more, maintaining such a high level of standards can feel like an endless cycle. So what’s the solution to this problem? If you answered
, “go with the Joint Commission instead of the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Care Services (AAAASF),” you’re right! Working in healthcare is a complex and stressful job. Even the most dedicated employees may struggle to meet the required standards. That being said, there are many benefits to moving your accredited facility from AAAASF to The Joint Commission for accreditation instead.
What is the AAAASF?
The AAAASF is the respected accreditation association for ambulatory care services. They offer robust standards for ambulatory healthcare providers, including medical offices, blood banks, and dialysis centers. While accreditation is voluntary, you will need to be accredited if your facility wants to participate in Medicare and Medicaid. While accreditation is voluntary, you will need to be accredited if your facility wants to participate in Medicare and Medicaid. The AAAASF is the respected accreditation association for ambulatory care services. Their rigorous process includes an on-site visit by a team of experts in your field, a thorough review of your documentation, and a review of your quality improvement efforts.
Why You Should Move From AAAASF to TJC
There are many reasons why you should move your facility from AAAASF to TJC. Let’s take a closer look at five of the most important. First, TJC has a more robust staffing requirement than AAAASF. This means that your organization will be expected to show that they have the right staff to meet the needs of their patients. Second, TJC has a strong focus on ongoing quality and safety education. As the healthcare industry grows and changes, your staff will need to keep up with new developments. TJC’s program will help your team stay current with best practices. Third, TJC’s greater transparency in processes and policies will make it easier for patients and staff to understand the inner workings of your facility. Fourth, TJC’s inclusion of patient voices and feedback will allow you to identify areas for improvement based on feedback from your patients. Finally, moving to TJC will make it easier to transition services among different facilities.
Greater Transparency in Processes and Policies
TJC’s greater transparency in processes and policies will make it easier for you to understand how your organization operates. This is helpful because it allows you to communicate better with your team and your patients. For example, if your organization uses specific terminology unfamiliar to patients, you can use the TJC standards to help clarify these terms. TJC also provides guidelines for appropriate risk management practices. Understanding these guidelines will help you minimize risk and protect your team.
Inclusion of Patient Voices and Feedback
Healthcare organizations have historically focused on providers' needs rather than the patient's. At times, providers may forget that their patients are individuals who have unique needs and desires. This can lead to inefficient operations and frustrated patients. With TJC, you can create a culture that values the patient experience. Doing so will help you provide better care while reducing your litigation risk. With TJC, you can create a culture that values the patient experience. Doing so will help you provide better care while reducing your litigation risk.
Summary
Working in healthcare is challenging and stressful. Even the most dedicated employees may struggle to maintain high standards. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce these challenges. Moving to the Joint Commission for accreditation is one solution that can help reduce stress and improve patient outcomes.
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