University Health Services (UHS), Penn State's student health services on University Park campus, has achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), according to UHS director Margaret Spear. This is the fifth time UHS has been officially recognized by AAAHC for delivering excellent health-care services to patients. UHS was first accredited in 1994 and earned additional three-year accreditations in 1997, 2000 and 2007.
The AAAHC only accredits organizations that are committed to providing high-quality care and services, as reflected in their standards. UHS passed a series of rigorous and nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care. More than 1,300 ambulatory health-care organizations across the United States are accredited by AAAHC, including more than 100 college health services.
"National accreditation underscores our long-standing commitment to providing the highest possible levels of quality health care to Penn State students," said Penn State President Graham B. Spanier.
UHS underwent an extensive on-site, peer-based survey of its facilities and services to assure that UHS met AAAHC's strict standards in areas such as patient rights, clinical records-keeping, quality of care, and professional development. Not all ambulatory health care organizations seek accreditation, and not all who undergo an on-site survey are granted accreditation.