Fond du Lac Human Services achieves accreditation

The Fond du Lac Human Services Division achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) on April 8.

Status as an accredited organization means Fond du Lac Human Services has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care, set by the Accreditation Association. Almost 5,000 ambulatory health care organizations across the United States are accredited by AAAHC. Not all ambulatory health care organizations seek accreditation; not all undergoing the on-site survey are granted accreditation.

“We believe our patients deserve the best,” stated Phil Norrgard, Director of Human Services. “When you see our certificate of accreditation, you will know that the AAAHC, an independent, not-for-profit organization, has closely examined our facility and procedures. It means that as an organization we care enough about our patients to strive for the highest care possible.

Ambulatory health care organizations seeking accreditation by the AAAHC undergo an extensive self-assessment and on-site survey by the Accreditation Association’s expert surveyors – volunteer physicians, nurses, and administrators who are actively involved in ambulatory health care. The survey is consultative and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization improve its care and services. Of most importance is the fact that this announcement makes Fond du Lac the first tribe in the country to win accreditation as a “Medical Home Agency”, a new element in the evaluation process that is designed specifically for high quality family practice medicine.

“Going through the process challenged us to find better ways to serve our patients, and it is a constant reminder that our responsibility is to our patients and the quality of care we provide,” said Janette Setterquist, Evaluation & Accreditation Coordinator.

AAAHC accreditation is specifically for organizations that provide diagnostic or medical care on an outpatient basis – where an overnight stay would not be required. Among the types of ambulatory health care organizations that can seek AAAHC are ambulatory and office-based surgery centers, single and multi-specialty group practices, college health centers, dental group practices, community health centers, occupational health centers, and managed care organizations.

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