Gannett: Cornell University Health Services has been awarded the certificate of accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care Inc. (AAAHC) for achieving nationally recognized standards for quality health care set by the Chicago-based accrediting organization.

Accreditation is a voluntary, comprehensive evaluation of Gannett's operation against standard benchmarks of quality.

"We're pleased and proud to have achieved accreditation," said Dr. Janet Corson-Rikert, director of Gannett. "We value accreditation and believe that it helps us to maintain and continually improve the quality of care we provide. Our patients are the ultimate benefactors from our participation in the accreditation program."

In order to achieve accreditation, Gannett underwent an extensive on-site survey of its facilities and services. The survey team, composed of a university health service physician and an ambulatory care facility administrator, evaluated all aspects of patient care. The survey findings gave Gannett the highest rating in each of the 17 categories evaluated.

Nianne Van Fleet, Gannett associate director for nursing and coordinator of accreditation, said preparation for accreditation involved a multiyear expansion of Gannett's Quality Improvement Program, formal credentialing of medical staff, upgrading of medical and administrative documentation and a comprehensive reworking of Gannett policies and procedures. "The process involved virtually every member of our staff and resulted in clear, visible and rewarding improvements in many aspects of our operation," Van Fleet said.

Patients also were involved in the process through participation in user satisfaction surveys that Gannett conducts five times each year. The accreditation review team was impressed that Gannett's patients consistently grade health services overall at more than 4.5 on a 5-point scale.

Not all ambulatory health care organizations seek accreditation and not all who undergo an on-site survey receive favorable decisions. In a letter to Gannett William H. Beeson, the AAAHC president, said: "The dedication and effort necessary to achieve accreditation is substantial. Gannett is to be commended for this accomplishment."The AAAHC conducts its accreditation program on a national basis and has accredited more than 800 ambulatory health care organizations, including single and multi-specialty group practices, ambulatory and office-based surgery centers, college and university health services, health maintenance organizations and other managed care systems, dental group practices, community health centers and occupational health centers.

AAAHC is a private, nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization. It receives professional guidance and financial support from a number of professional medical organizations, including the American College Health Association.