WSU Health and Wellness Services has received the maximum three-year reaccreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).
The only accredited clinic in the area, HWS is committed to providing WSU students with high quality on-campus health care. Accreditation affirms that HWS efforts measure up to the AAAHC’s high standards.
All staff members contribute to the accreditation process, said Ruth Nice, a registered nurse at HWS. Each employee’s role and expertise is important – from caring for students in a timely manner, to making sure records are up-to-date, to keeping facilities clean and safe.
Nice has been coordinating the accreditation process since HWS first earned accreditation in 1993.
“It has become easier over the years as I became acquainted with the process and standards,” she said. “It is not a simple process. It is ongoing; we consider the AAAHC standards when making organizational decisions.”
Ambulatory healthcare organizations seeking accreditation from the AAAHC undergo an extensive self-assessment and on-site survey by experts – volunteer physicians, nurses and administrators who are actively involved in ambulatory healthcare. The survey is consultative and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization improve its care and services.
Surveyors were on site at HWS Sept. 8 and 9. Nice assisted them throughout their visit to expedite the process and answer questions.
“The surveyors review every aspect of our organization, ranging from care provided, to credentials of our healthcare providers, nurses, and other staff, to our facilities and our wellness and research programs,” said Bruce Wright, HWS director. “The accreditors highlighted the overall quality of care provided, the credentials of our staff and the quality of our pharmacy.”
The AAAHC accreditation report also mentioned that HWS staff are well trained, provide great care to students, and are caring and customer-service orientated.
“We can be confident that the care we provide is of high quality,” said Nice.
For more information about HWS and the services provided, visit the website ONLINE @ www.hws.wsu.edu.
