Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida has been accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Accreditation distinguishes Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida from many other outpatient facilities through its adherence to rigorous standards of care and safety. Status as an accredited organization means Healthcare Network has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care set by AAAHC.
More than 6,100 ambulatory, or outpatient, health care organizations across the United States are currently accredited by AAAHC. 1095 Strong is a transformational movement and call-to action spearheaded by the AAAHC to equip ambulatory leaders with the best of what they need to operationalize quality practices. The three-year, or 1,095-day, period between accreditations is a critical time when ambulatory health organizations, with help from proven experts, can develop the kind of everyday habits that enable leaders in the industry to provide the utmost in quality care to their patients. Organizations, such as Healthcare Network that earn AAAHC Accreditation embody the spirit of 1095 Strong, quality every day, an ongoing commitment to high-quality care and patient safety.
While the onsite survey is an important component of the process, ongoing compliance and continuous improvement are part of the accreditation maintenance mindset that a facility should integrate into its daily activities long after the survey has been completed. The intent of accreditation is for organizations to adopt policies and procedures that fuel ongoing QI and self-evaluation every day.
“Accreditation by AAAHC is an endorsement of our commitment to serving Southwest Florida with the highest-quality, integrated health care for all,” said Dr. Emily Ptaszek, CEO of Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida. “In our 21 practices serving more than 51,000 residents, we pursue rigorous standards of care and safety every day.”
Ambulatory health care organizations seeking AAAHC Accreditation undergo an extensive self-assessment and onsite survey by AAAHC expert surveyors – physicians, nurses, and administrators who are actively involved in ambulatory care. The survey is peer-based and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization improve its care and services.
About Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida
The mission of Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida is to provide quality healthcare accessible to everyone in our community, regardless of insurance status. Founded in 1977 to serve migrant farmworkers and their families in Immokalee, Healthcare Network now provides care to more than 51,000 residents of Collier County through 21 practices including the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® and the Health and Smiles Mobile. Healthcare Network provides primary healthcare services including internal medicine, family care, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and senior care as well as dental care and integrated behavioral health for both adults and children. The Nichols Community Health Center, a 50,000-square-foot primary care medical complex, will open in Golden Gate in spring 2020. For more information, visit www.HealthcareSWFL.org, or to schedule an appointment, please call 239-658-3000.
About AAAHC
Founded in 1979, AAAHC is the leader in ambulatory health care accreditation, with more than 6,100 organizations accredited. We accredit a wide range of outpatient settings, including ambulatory surgery centers, office-based surgery facilities, endoscopy centers, student health centers, medical and dental group practices, community health centers, employer-based health clinics, retail clinics, and Indian/Tribal health centers, among others. AAAHC advocates for the provision of high-quality health care through the development and adoption of nationally recognized standards. We provide a valuable survey experience founded on a peer-based, educational approach to on-site review. The AAAHC Certificate of Accreditation demonstrates an organization’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality services to its patients—every day of the 1,095-day accreditation cycle. It is recognized by thirdparty payers, medical professional associations, liability insurance companies, state and federal agencies, and the public. For more information on AAAHC, please visit www.aaahc.org.
