Prestigious accreditation awarded to SLUCare |
SLUCare is one of just three academic medical centers in the United States to achieve such accreditation and the only physician practice in the St. Louis area to earn such a distinction.
The award means that the ambulatory practices of SLUCare have met nationally recognized standards for quality health care set by the Chicago-based accrediting organization.
"Our patients are the reason for our participation in the accreditation program," said Robert Heaney, M.D., chairman of Saint Louis University's ambulatory care quality management process and associate dean for graduate medical education at the School of Medicine. "We like the constant challenge of examining our practices and continually improving them with the feedback and assistance of our patients. SLUCare wants to conduct research and educate the next generation of health care professionals in a setting of clinical excellence, and this accreditation recognizes that level of excellence."
To achieve accreditation, Saint Louis University underwent an extensive on-site survey of its facilities and services. The survey team, composed of a physician, a nurse and a health care administrator, evaluated all aspects of patient care. The survey findings resulted in a favorable decision.
SLUCare saw more than 465,000 patients iduring the last 12 months at its ambulatory practice sites, which include the University Medical Group Building, Anheuser Busch Institute, Saint Louis University Orthopedic Rehabilitation Center, Wohl Memorial Mental Health Institute, Saint Louis University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and University Club Towers.
Not all ambulatory health care organizations seek accreditation, and not all who undergo an on-site survey receive favorable decisions.
"The dedication and effort necessary to achieve accreditation is substantial," said William H. Beeson, M.D., president of the AAAHC. "Saint Louis University is to be commended for this accomplishment."
The AAAHC conducts its accreditation program on a national basis and has accredited more than 1,100 ambulatory health care organizations, including single and multi-specialty group practices, ambulatory and office-based surgery centers, college health services, health maintenance organizations and other managed care systems, dental group practices, community health centers and occupational health centers.
AAAHC is a private, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization.
  |