The new standards also include revisions to core chapters and existing adjunct chapters.
The new standards for lithotripsy and behavioral health will be applied to organizations that provide these services. The medical home standards will only apply to organizations that choose to seek this designation.
The new lithotripsy standards apply to organizations offering renal lithotripsy services and include requirements pertaining to provider responsibility, radiation safety and quality control.
Highlights of other revisions to AAAHC standards include:
- Accredited organizations are required to notify AAAHC within 15 calendar days (previously 30 calendar days) of significant changes.
- The “Quality Improvement” program standards have been rewritten to provide clear and specific expectations.
- Organizations must codify the requirements to obtain prior health records for incoming patients and to provide patient information when care is provided elsewhere.
- New standards require organizations to develop policies addressing non-staff in patient care areas.
- Organizations are required to develop written emergency and disaster preparedness plans.
- All clinical personnel with direct patient contact must be trained in basic cardiac life support (BLS) in organizations that provide anesthesia services, surgical and related services, immediate/urgent care services and emergency service and are required to maintain BLS skills.
- Organizations are required to have written policies regarding reprocessing of single-use devices and policies for the safe use of injectables and single-use syringes and needles.
- Radiation oncology standards have been updated to reflect current technology.
Read the press release about the AAAHC 2009 standards (pdf).
Learn more about AAAHC.
