A new study by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF)  demonstrates that surgery in accredited ambulatory facilities can be as safe as inpatient surgery. The study says that, out of 1.1 million outpatient procedures performed, only one death occurred as a result of an intraoperative adverse event. The study analyzed data submitted by accredited ambulatory surgery facilities from January 2001 through June 2006.

AAAASF accredits more office-based surgery facilities in the country than any other professional accreditation organization. "We offer a concise, user-friendly set of standards that focuses on patient safety and best practices,"? says Jeff Pearcy, executive director. "Over the last several years, we have refined our standards and have tried to eliminate the busy work for facilities."?

AAAASF has been accrediting office-based surgery facilities since 1980 and many members of the board of directors have been key players in the development of the process for over a decade. "I have seen the accreditation industry incubate during my years of service at AAAASF, and my support for the process has never wavered."? says Dr. Alan Gold, association president. "The significance of third party inspection, accreditation and peer review has gained tremendous validity as more states are incorporating accreditation concepts into laws."?

"The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities has demonstrated a low incidence of surgical complication in procedures performed in their accredited facilities,"? says Dr. Geoffrey R. Keyes, chair of the Quality Improvement/Peer Review Committee and board member. "Our standards demand surgeons to be board certified in the specialty practiced within accredited surgery facilities and that they have credentials in a hospital to perform each procedure that is performed in these facilities."?

Recognizing the professionalism of the AAAASF, the New York State Department of Health has designated the organization as an authorized agency to be used by office-bases surgery practices to meet the state's new accreditation requirements.

"AAAASF has worked with the State of New York over the last several years to assist in the development of the new law, and we believe that New York has taken a critical step to help ensure patient safety by requiring careful oversight of the office-based ambulatory medical and surgical care environment,"? says Dr. Gold. "We are appreciative of the confidence the DOH has expressed in AAAASF by choosing us to continue to work with them in the implementation and monitoring of this important legislative
initiative."?