DCH Becomes First AAHHS Accredited Critical Access Hospital in the Nation

Decatur County Hospital has achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Hospitals and Health Systems (AAHHS) with zero deficiencies. Accreditation distinguishes this critical access hospital from many other healthcare facilities by providing the highest quality of care to its patients as determined by an independent, external process of evaluation. Decatur County Hospital is the first critical access hospital in the nation to achieve accreditation by the AAHHS.

Status as an accredited organization means Decatur County Hospital has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care set by AAHHS. Not all critical access hospitals seek accreditation; not all that undergo the rigorous on-site survey process are granted accreditation.
“We believe our patients deserve the best,” stated Suzanne Cooner, CEO, of Decatur County Hospital “When you see our certificate of accreditation, you will know that AAHHS, an independent, not-for-profit organization, has closely examined our facility and procedures. It means we as an organization care enough about our patients to strive for the highest level of care possible.”

Hospitals seeking accreditation by AAHHS undergo an extensive self-assessment and on-site survey by AAHHS expert surveyors – physicians, nurses, and administrators who are actively involved in the medical field. The survey is consultative and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization improve its care and services.

“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 to continuously improve the quality of care we provide,” said Cooner.

The Accreditation Association for Hospitals and Health Systems (AAHHS), was created in 2012 by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) to focus on the accreditation needs of U.S. hospitals having fewer than 200 beds with an average daily census of less than 100. AAHHS and AAAHC have separate governing boards and function independently as operating entities of an umbrella organization, the Accreditation Association. Both organizations are dedicated to ensuring high quality patient care in health care settings.