TAMPA, Fla. (May 24, 2018) – The USF Health Endoscopy & Surgery Center has earned accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) – an achievement that distinguishes the ambulatory care center as one that meets or exceeds nationally-recognized standards for quality care.

More than 6,000 ambulatory health care organizations across the United States are accredited by AAAHC, a private, non-profit organization. That means these organizations have successfully completed an independent, external evaluation process, which determines they are delivering safe, high-quality care in the way they say they will. Not all ambulatory health care organizations seek accreditation, and not all undergoing the rigorous on-site survey process are granted accreditation.

Sharon Owen, director of the USF Health Endoscopy & Surgery Center

“When you see the certificate of accreditation, you know that AAAHC has closely examined our facility, procedures and outcomes,” said Sharon Owen, director of the USF Health Endoscopy & Surgery Center. “Going through the process challenged us to find better ways to serve our patients, and it is a constant reminder that our responsibility is to strive continuously to improve the quality of care and services we provide.”

Organizations seeking accreditation by AAAHC undergo an extensive self-assessment and on-site survey by the association’s expert surveyors – physicians, nurses, and administrators actively involved in ambulatory health care. Among the areas reviewed are patient rights, quality of care, quality management and improvement, clinical records and health information, infection prevention and control, and anesthesia, surgical and related services.

Located in the Morsani Center for Advanced Healthcare on the USF Tampa campus, the USF Health Endoscopy & Surgery Center is a state-of-the-art facility with five endoscopy and procedure suites, four fully-equipped and integrated operating rooms, and a 33-bed recovery room. The center’s experienced professionals are highly trained in orthopedics, ENT, ophthalmology, urology, gynecology, colorectal surgery, general surgery, breast oncology, plastic surgery, podiatry, and endoscopy.

For more information, visit health.usf.edu/doctors/asc. For scheduling or other questions, please call (813) 905-9956.

-Photos by Torie Doll, USF Health Communications and Marketing