CAAS Announces Its Summer 2010 Accreditation Seminar

Prepare for Accreditation Using the New v3.0 CAAS Standards

Presented by

Sarah McEntee, Executive Director
Commission on the Accreditation of Ambulance Services

August 23, 2010

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Glenview, IL

Learn How To:

• Plan and budget for accreditation
• Motivate staff for accreditation
• Prepare your application
• Develop application documentation

Course Description

This full-day seminar held in conjunction with the American Ambulance Association Regional Workshop is the ideal forum to assist you in planning for your accreditation or re-accreditation using the CAAS Gold Standards. It  provides an overview of the application process and clearly defines what can be expected throughout. Faculty  address the benefits of accreditation and identify ways in which you can increase operational and clinical performance, reduce risk and liability, and maximize your market position as a result. The interactive format provides an opportunity to share ideas and best practices, and receive expert answers to all your most important accreditation questions.  Course books and materials are provided as part of the registration fee.

Who Should Attend

CAAS accreditation is open to all private, public, fire-based, inter-facility, volunteer, or hospital-based agencies providing ground medical transport. The practical information provided in this course will save countless hours of time, answer questions, and assist managers, QI supervisors, or other designated accreditation coordinators to plan and execute an effective accreditation program within their own agency.

Seminar Registration Form

Seminar Presenter

Sarah McEntee is the executive director for CAAS.  Prior to her appointment, she was program director for the New England EMS Institute in Manchester, N.H., where she was responsible for the management and direction of three concurrent CoAEMSP-accredited paramedic programs.

A career paramedic since 1989, Sarah has over 20 years of clinical and leadership experience with hospital-based, commercial and municipal EMS systems. Sarah has previously served as clinical consultant and project manager for EMS providers nationwide, and served as an active CAAS site reviewer for nearly ten years prior to her appointment as executive director.  Sarah routinely presents at EMS and other healthcare conferences and continues to promote quality in the EMS industry.

Agenda

Section 1- Introduction/ Course Objectives/ CAAS Overview/ History/ CAAS Organizational Structure/ Reasons Why an Ambulance Service Should Be Accredited/ Accredited Agencies/ Value of Accreditation/ CAAS Accreditation Beyond the EMS Community/ Question and Answer Session 

Section 2- Why Seek Accreditation/ Internal and External Reasons for Accreditation/ Planning for Your Accreditation/ Assessing and Preparing Your Team/ Educating Your Staff, Officals and Others/ Challenges of a Union Workforce/ Policy and Procedure Development and Implementation/ Legal /Question and Answer Session 

Section 3- Meeting the Standards/ Organization/  Inter-Agency Relations/ Management/  Financial Management/ Community Relations and Public Affairs/ Human Resources/ Clinical Standards/ Safe Operations and Managing Risk/ Equipment and Facilities/ Communications/ Question and Answer Session 

Section 4- Completing The Application/ Agency Documentation/ Preparing for the Off Site Review/ Preparing for the On Site Review/ Panel of Commissioners/ Granting of Accreditation, Denials and Appeals/ Annual Updates and Reaccreditation Process/ Addressing Organizational Changes/ Celebrating Your Success/ Promoting Your Accreditation/ Question and Answer Session 

General Information

Registration
Registration fees are $425.00 for a single registration or $375.00 each for multiple registrations from the same company. Registration fee includes course materials (CAAS standards and application), continental breakfast, and coffee breaks. Lunch is on your own. In addition, attendees will also recieve free bonus materials, including: sample documents, the CAAS Standards Guide (a $25 value), the CAAS Application Package (a $100 value) and access to our new online CAAS Accreditation Webinar series (a $225 value), so you can  review program materials after the seminar, and share your learning experience with your staff.  To assist CAAS in planning and preparation, please register before August 9, 2010  Early registration is encouraged as class size will be limited. Fill out the Seminar Registration Form. 

Hotel Reservations
The CAAS seminar is being held in conjunction with the American Ambulance Association's Regional Workshop at the Wyndham Glenview Suites, Glenview, IL.  The hotel reservation number is 847-803-9800. Mention the American Ambulance Association Convention to receive a discounted rate of $89 per night per single/double room (state, local and occupancy taxes not included). 

Room block is guaranteed until July 27, 2010. After that date, rooms are subject to prevailing rates and availability. For information on the AAA Regional Workshop and fees, please call 1-800-523-4447 or visit www.the-aaa.org.

Transportation
The Wyndham Glenview Suites is located 7 miles from O’Hare International Airport (ORD).  Average one way taxi fare is $35 excluding tip. The Wyndham Glenview Suites offers a shuttle service to the hotel from O’Hare International Airport for $25 per person one way.  If you are interested in the Wyndham shuttle service, please call the hotel at 847-803-9800 from the baggage claim area and they will dispatch the shuttle. (Please allow 10-15 minutes for the shuttle to arrive.)

What Previous Seminar Attendees Have Said

"It is nice to be in an educational forum where ALL questions are answered." Attendee  (Las Vegas)

“The seminar was very helpful and encouraging. This process and opportunity really seem to be within reach.” Attendee (Kansas City)

“Good overview of accreditation process. I liked the practical examples given on how standards were addressed.” Attendee (Michigan)

“I am more confident in my ability & my company’s ability to achieve accreditation following this program.” Attendee (Indianapolis)

“I gained a lot of information and feel confident that we can & should be accredited.” Attendee (Atlanta)

“Great presentation.  This application will assist organizations in becoming quality systems.” Attendee (New York)

“Thanks for all you do--dealing with you (CAAS) is always a treat!” Attendee (Las Vegas)