Updated QUAD A Standards Manuals

We are pleased to announce that updated QUAD A Standards Manuals for all programs are now available on the QUAD A website. The revised standards are effective as of February 2, 2026. These updated manuals reflect current standard language, including standard language changes or standard applicability communicated through a Technical Change Report since April 7, 2025. The Interpretive Guidance has also been updated into a condensed format.

Updated Standards Manuals

Central to the success of facilities receiving Accreditation by QUAD A, our Program Standards Manuals are the essential guides for achieving and maintaining accreditation, as well as providing safe, quality care for patients worldwide.

For this reason, QUAD A must periodically revise and/or update standards. Technology changes, discoveries are made, research continues, and many other factors contribute to the evolution of patient care practices. As the global authority for accreditation, QUAD A diligently remains at the forefront of innovation and the evolution of patient safety procedures. This diligence includes working with top healthcare professionals and thought leaders to continuously improve industry best practices. 

There are a few changes to note in these updated manuals, including:

• A list of references by standard is located at the back of the manual

• The addition of office-based standards applicable to facilities in Florida

  • Applicable to OBS, OBP, and OMS

  • Standard number, standard language, and interpretive guidance are in red font

  • Affected standards contain the language, "Note - This standard applies ONLY to office-based surgery facilities in Florida."

• Standard language clarification

  • 1-E-2 - applicable to all programs
  • 11-B-8 - applicable to OBS, OBP, ASC, OMS, PD, I-SURG, and I-DENT
  • New language is in red font

• Standard number changes – due to the addition of the Florida-specific office-based surgery program standards

  • Applicable to OBS, OBP, ASC, OMS, and PD

  • Affected standard numbers are in red font

These updated standard manuals should be used for all upcoming surveys and ongoing compliance activities. Surveyors and facilities are encouraged to review the revised content to promote familiarity with any updates or clarifications.

The updated manuals can be accessed and downloaded from the QUAD A website, on the Accredited Facilities page under Standards Manuals.

As a reminder, Self-Survey Checklists can also be downloaded from our website on the Accredited Facilities page under Self-Survey Materials. These Self-Survey Checklists contain each program's relevant standards, but no interpretive guidance.

Should you have any questions, please email them to standards@quada.org.

Thank you for your continued commitment to quality and safe patient care. 

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