Springfield Clinic achieves AAAHC accreditation

[June 22, 2012]  SPRINGFIELD -- Springfield Clinic has achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. Accreditation distinguishes Springfield Clinic's network of care from many other outpatient facilities by providing the highest quality of care to its patients as determined by an independent, external process of evaluation.

Status as an accredited organization means Springfield Clinic has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care set by AAAHC. More than 5,000 ambulatory health care organizations across the United States are accredited by AAAHC.

Ambulatory health care organizations seeking accreditation by AAAHC undergo an extensive self-assessment and on-site survey by AAAHC expert surveyors -- physicians, nurses and administrators who are actively involved in ambulatory health care. The survey is consultative and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization improve its care and services.

The 2012 survey resulted in a full, three-year accreditation, the highest level of achievement possible, for all Springfield Clinic's medical offices and ancillary services throughout central Illinois. It marks more than 20 consecutive years of accreditation for Springfield Clinic.

"This achievement is the product of a team effort. It has taken the commitment and dedication of our physicians, their clinical staff members and the entire organization to demonstrate the quality of care delivered at Springfield Clinic," said Randy Bryant, chief executive officer at Springfield Clinic. "This recognition validates the efforts we have made in the past and inspires us to continue leading the way in health care quality."

To celebrate the honor, clinic officials have declared Friday as "Denim Day" at all Springfield Clinic offices. Employees are encouraged to wear jeans, which is a departure from their traditional workplace attire.

Mary Stewart, chief clinical officer, explained: "We celebrated previous AAAHC accreditation awards with a 'Denim Day' and it was great fun for our doctors and staff. We felt a similar celebration was in order to recognize our employees for their achievement."

Springfield Clinic is a progressive, physician-led multi-specialty medical group, devoted to providing the highest quality health care to its patients. With more than 375 physicians and midlevel providers practicing in nearly 80 medical specialties and sub-specialties, Springfield Clinic serves a population of nearly 1 million patients throughout the central Illinois region. As one of the largest private, multi-specialty medical clinics in Illinois, Springfield Clinic currently employs over 2,000 clinical and administrative staff members who are committed to leadership in quality, service and technology. For more information, go to www.springfielddlinic.com.

[Text from file received from Springfield Clinic]