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University Health Services has received the highest possible level of accreditation following a recent survey by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. "The accreditation is a reminder that University Health Services meets national standards for high quality health care," said Executive Director Steve Lustig. There is no special category for campus health services, meaning UHS undergoes the same accreditation process as community-based facilities. The three-year accreditation is based on an onsite survey, during which a team of clinicians and health care administrators evaluate every aspect of patient care. "This year's evaluation was the best ever," said Lustig. "One of the evaluators said we should serve as a model for the country on how to provide integrated health care [medical care, mental health services and health promotion] for a specific population." The successful review is in keeping with University Health Services' history, says Lustig. UHS is the oldest accredited campus health center in the country. In 1924 the Berkeley Student Health Service was approved as a hospital by the American College of Surgeons; and the 100-bed Ernest V. Cowell Memorial Hospital opened its doors in 1930 as the first campus hospital to be accredited by the American College of Surgeons. In 1955, UHS earned the distinction of being the first student hospital to be accredited by the Joint Commission of the American Hospital Association and the American Medical Association. When Cowell Hospital closed in 1990 and University Health Services became an outpatient facility, the review process was assumed by the association. The next review will be in April 2000. |