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QUAD A is your go-to provider for medical accreditation, with an effective, and efficient partner focus on quality improvement in healthcare.

About QUAD A

About Us

Since 1980, QUAD A (American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, inc.), a non-profit, physician founded and led global accreditation organization, has worked with thousands of healthcare facilities to standardize and improve the quality of care they provide – believing that patient safety should always come first.

At QUAD A, the goal is simple, to be your go-to provider when it comes to accreditation – always striving to be an effective, efficient, and easy to work with partner that values education, reliability, and communication. We call it the QUAD A promise, and it stands at the forefront of everything we do.
 
Our thorough processes, expert surveyors, and consultative approach set us apart from other accreditation organizations – offering clearly defined criteria and processes so there are never any surprises.

QUAD A Global Accreditation Authority. Patients First. Always.

To learn more about the history of QUAD A and the effect they have had on patient safety over the years, visit: Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, Volume 1, Issue 2, June 2019, to read an article written by QUAD A Board Members - Robert Singer, MD, FACS, Geoffrey R Keyes, MD, FACS, and Foad Nahai, MD, FACS, FRCS (Hon)

OUR HISTORY

Since 1980, QUAD A, a non-profit, physician-founded and led accreditation organization, has worked with thousands of healthcare facilities to help standardize and improve the quality of health care they provide - always striving to be an effective, efficient, and easy to work with partner that values education, reliability, and communication.


  • 1977

    American Society of Plastics and Reconstructive (ASPRS) is Founded

    The American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPRS) committee identifies the need for an independent third-party quality assessment program.

  • 1980

    American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Plastic Surgery Facilities (AAAAPSF) is Founded

    The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Plastic Surgery Facilities (AAAAPSF) is established to accredit outpatient plastic surgery facilities.

  • 1992 - 1994

    AAAASPF transitioned into the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF)

    AAAAPSF transitions to the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) to unify accreditation standards for the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialties (AOABOS) practicing in ambulatory facilities.

    *In 2022, AAAASF rebrands and becomes QUAD A, but for clarity, we will use the name QUAD A moving forward.

  • 1997

    QUAD A becomes an approved accreditation provider for California facilities

    California requires accreditation for facilities providing anesthesia or sedation. QUAD A is an approved accreditation provider. Other accreditations follow: gastroenterology, urology, gynecology, and ophthalmology.

  • 1998

    QUAD A becomes Medicare-recognized

    QUAD A becomes a Medicare-recognized authority for Ambulatory Surgery Centers.

  • 2001

    Mandatory Patient Safety Data Reporting (PSDR) system is introduced

    QUAD A introduces a mandatory Patient Safety Data Reporting (PSDR) system.

  • 2005

    QUAD A becomes International

    QUAD A launches Surgery Facilities Resources, Inc. (SFR) for global accreditation resources.

     

  • 2006

    Florida mandates office surgery registration for anesthesia or sedation

    The Medical Board of Florida mandates office surgery registration for anesthesia or sedation. QUAD A is part of this mandate.

     

  • 2009

    SFR international accreditation program renamed to AAAASF International (AAAASFI)

    New York mandates office accreditation, and QUAD A is recognized as an official Accreditation Authority. Accreditation is recognized by several smaller states, cementing national accreditation.

  • 2010

    QUAD A expands

    QUAD A joins Costa Rica's Ministry of Health and Tourism to promote quality care. QUAD A expands into Guatemala, El Salvador, and Columbia.

  • 2011

    Medicare Approved

    QUAD A becomes the first and only OPT accreditation organization approved by Medicare.

  • 2012

    QUAD A serves as an expert healthcare advisor

    • QUAD A is the first Medicare-approved accreditation organization for rural health clinics.
    • The Government of Belize invited QUAD A to serve as an expert advisor on healthcare quality and safety.

     

  • 2014

    Flying Eye Hospital gains accreditation

    Orbis, an NGO tackling avoidable blindness, gains accreditation from QUAD A for its Flying Eye Hospital .
  • 2015

    International Society for Quality in Health Care External Evaluation Association (IEEA) Certified

    QUAD A's global program is certified by the International Society for Quality in Health Care External Evaluation Association (IEEA).
  • 2017

    U.S. Department of State's premier exchange program

    QUAD A is invited by the CDC to join the U.S. Department of State's premier exchange program, International Visitor Leadership Program, presenting to the Ministry of Public Health of the Dominican Republic at the United Nations.
  • 2018

    Collaborations and partnerships

    • QUAD A and AAPD collaborate on accreditation and safety measures for dentistry clinics providing sedation to minors.
    • QUAD A partners with Harvard researchers for data-driven publications.
  • 2019

    U.S. Department of State's premier exchange program

    Dubai Health Authority (DHA) approves QUAD A as an accreditation organization for outpatient surgery, gaining a large share of the surgery market. QUAD A expands in U.A.E. to develop a Middle East presence.
  • 2020

    QUAD A assesses internal processes

    QUAD A signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). Our Global Accreditation Initiative connects ISAPS member surgeons with accredited facilities that demonstrate compliance with global standards.

  • 2022

    AAAASF officially rebrands to QUAD A

    • Acquisition of QUAD A Development Kosovo for accreditation technologies and software..
    • QUAD A enters an agreement with Islamabad Regional Health Authority in Pakistan to offer technical assistance and advice for healthcare regulation development.
    • QUAD A partners with University College London to research non-surgical aesthetics, publish articles, and create safety measures for the environment.
    • QUAD A joins the International Society for Quality and Health Care (ISQua) to advance patient safety globally.

PATIENTS

SURVEYORS

INTERESTED FACILITIES

ACCREDITED FACILITIES


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PATIENTS FIRST. ALWAYS.

With a focus on patient safety and industry best practices, QUAD A can elevate your healthcare facility. To learn more about the benefits of our accreditation, click the link below, email: info@QUADA.org or call us at 888-545-5222.