No matter where patients seek care, safety is the top priority. Many healthcare facilities have protocols in place for the consistent, safe delivery of care. The issue is that those protocols are not always put into practice on a daily basis, much less in emergency situations.
The process of accreditation is unique in that it works with healthcare facilities to commit to operational improvements that can be applied every day. From improving the safety of standard operating procedures to implementing robust emergency plans, the accreditation process helps facilities make patient safety part of daily operations.
Unfortunately, many healthcare facilities face an uphill battle in proving their commitment to patient safety. In a 2021 survey, more than a third of patients polled said that they are unlikely to seek medical care at a non-hospital facility.1
Safety was the driving concern for many of those patients, with an emphasis on a facility’s ability to keep patients safe in case of an emergency. 34% were unsure if a non-hospital facility was equipped to handle an emergency situation; among senior patients, that concern rose to 44%.1
As stated by one of the patients polled: “If something went wrong with the procedure in a non-hospital setting, would they be equipped to handle it?” Through the accreditation process, healthcare facilities are better equipped to implement operational improvements that promote safe care within standard operating procedures and in unanticipated scenarios.
From their initial survey to annual self-surveys and on-site resurveys every three years, healthcare facilities that have achieved accreditation with QUAD A demonstrate an ongoing commitment to established standards of care and patient safety.
QUAD A’s accreditation standards manuals clearly define protocols for the safe delivery of routine care. For example, the standards manual for QUAD A’s Non-Surgical Aesthetic and Wellness (MedSpa) Accreditation program provides guidelines for:
The preparation for common aesthetic procedures such as dermal fillers
The safe storage of laser equipment and other energy-based devices
The storage, handling, and sterilization of sterile medical equipment
The communication of hazardous material protocols to facility staff
QUAD A’s guidance also extends to standard operating procedures around outpatient surgery for facilities like Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs). The QUAD A standards manual for the ASC Accreditation program outlines safety expectations for routine surgical procedures, such as:
The delivery of anesthesia, and the necessary qualifications for professionals administering anesthesia
The safe storage and disposal of hazardous medical waste, in accordance with all relevant regulations
Ventilation, temperature, and humidity control guidelines for operating rooms
Cleaning procedures to ensure that operating room ceilings are free of particulate matter that could pose a contamination risk
Standards such as those outlined above provide a clear framework for promoting patient safety. Accreditation helps facilities build these expectations into everyday operations.
Applying safe standards of care under everyday circumstances is one thing. Keeping them in place during emergency situations is another challenge altogether. QUAD A’s standards manuals offer a straightforward path to emergency preparedness at every level of the healthcare facility.
Emergency situations are of particular importance for facilities that offer outpatient surgery, like ASCs. That’s why QUAD A’s standards manual lays out more than 50 standards that help ASCs prepare for emergencies of all types. Guidance includes:
The evaluation of the facility’s emergency cart, including Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and/or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) protocols for use during patient resuscitation.
The development of a written protocol for a situation in which the surgeon/ proceduralist, anesthesia professional, or other healthcare professional is impaired or becomes incapacitated
Leaving ample clear space on each side of the procedure table to accommodate emergency personnel and equipment, and permit the safe transfer of the patient to a gurney for transport
Verifying all operating staff receive comprehensive emergency training to enable swift, coordinated responses to crises such as medical emergencies or disasters
Emergency protocols are no less important for facilities that deliver only non-surgical care. In addition to common emergency procedures including the evacuation of the facility in the case of a fire or natural disaster, QUAD A offers MedSpas explicit instructions to prepare for medical emergencies, such as:
The availability of filler emergency supplies including hyaluronidase in case of vascular occlusion or visual changes after filler injection
The weekly inspection of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and the documentation of test results for at least three years
The appropriate storage of emergency medications, and the communication of their location to all facility staff
The development of an effective procedure for the immediate transfer to a hospital for patients requiring emergency medical care beyond the capabilities of the facility
These standards, among others, help accredited healthcare facilities develop a plan to keep patients safe even in the face of unforeseen circumstances.
As patients continue to prioritize healthcare facilities that put their safety first, accreditation can help differentiate your facility by demonstrating a commitment to patient safety and quality care. Through accreditation with QUAD A, your facility strengthens the protocols behind safe routine care and prepares for the unexpected, putting Patients First. Always.
See the impact that QUAD A’s accreditation programs can have for the safety of your patients: https://www.quada.org/about-us