CAAS Announces Its Fall 2008 Accreditation Seminar: Prepare for Accreditation Using the Revised CAAS Standards

December 4, 2008
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

www.lvhilton.com
Las Vegas Hilton
Las Vegas, NV

Room Rate: $145/night

Hotel Reservation Number: 888-732-7117 Please note: This CAAS seminar is being held in conjunction with the American Ambulance Association's Fall meeting. The room rate above is good until October 15, 2008, after which, rooms are subject to prevailing rates and availability.  Be sure to mention that you are attending the American Ambulance Association’s Annual Convention and Trade Show in order to receive the special discounted room rate.

Seminar Presenter:

Sarah McEntee, BS, NREMT-P
CAAS Executive Director

Learn How To:

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

Course Description

This full-day seminar is the ideal forum to assist you in planning for your accreditation or re-accreditation using the CAAS Gold Standards. It will provide an overview of the application process and clearly define what can be expected throughout. Faculty will address the benefits of accreditation and identify ways in which you can maximize your market position as a result. The interactive format provides an opportunity to ask 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 Presenter

Sarah McEntee is the executive director for CAAS.  She assumed her position in the fall of 2007.  Prior to her appointment as the chief staff officer for CAAS, Sarah was program director for the New England EMS Institute in Manchester, New Hampshire, where she was responsible for the management and direction of three concurrent CAAHEP-accredited paramedic programs. Before her work with NEEMSI, Sarah worked for more than ten years with Rockingham Regional Ambulance, New Hampshire’s largest pre-hospital provider. While at Rockingham, Sarah served as field supervisor and accreditation and quality assurance coordinator, assisting Rockingham to become the first CAAS-accredited service in the state. A career paramedic since 1989, Sarah has over 14 years clinical and leadership experience with hospital-based, private, and municipal EMS systems.  She also has served as an active CAAS site reviewer, and has lead the CAAS Accreditation Seminars for many years.  In addition she also developed and has been responsible for the ongoing management of the CAAS accreditation helpline to provide guidance to candidate agencies.

How to Register and for More Information

What the Seminar Will Cover

I. Introduction:
Welcome / Seminar Objectives / Introduction of Faculty / Brief History of CAAS / CAAS Organization / Five Reasons Why an Ambulance Service Should Be Accredited / Types and Sizes of CAAS Accredited Ambulance Services / Process vs. Outcome - "What Do Standards Measure?"

II. Overcoming the Challenges to Becoming Accredited:
Thumbnail Sketch of Application Process / Organizational and Administrative Readiness for the Application Process / Application Fees and the Real Cost of Preparation / Alternative Methods of Funding for Not-for-Profit Services / Policies, Procedures and Documentation - "Walking the talk"/ Organizing to Complete the Application / Organization and Distribution of Policy and Procedures Manuals / Getting Organizational Buy-in to the Accreditation Process - "What's in it for me?" / Audience Questions

III. CAAS Standards Pertaining to Clinical Operations:
Communicating with Field Staff - Training, Orientation, Documentation / Clinical Standards / Other Standards of Operations / Equipment & Facilities / Audience Questions

IV. CAAS Standards Pertaining to Human Resources, Communications, and Inter-Agency Relations:
Challenges of Accreditation with a Union Work Force / Personnel and the Personnel Process / Inter-agency Relations / Communications / Avoiding the Pitfalls - Seek legal review of personnel policies / Audience Questions

V. CAAS Standards for Boards, Managers, and PR:
Formalizing What Management Does - It's probably in your head / Organizations - Knowing who you are / Management - Knowing where you want to go / Financial Management - Finding the resources to get you there / Community Relations and Public Information - Putting your best foot forward / Audience Questions

VI. Now That the Application Is with CAAS:
What Happens to Your Box Loads of CAAS Application Forms and Documentation? / Anxieties of a Site Review - Understanding the Process Works Better Than Taking a Valium / Preparing Recommendations for the CAAS Commissioners / The Commission's Possible Outcomes for Your Ambulance Service

VII. Appeals, Maintaining a Three-Year Accreditation, Significant Organizational Changes:
Steps Which Can Be Taken to Appeal Office or Site Reviewer Recommendations / What Does a "Provisional" Accreditation Mean and How Can "Full" Accreditation Be Gained? / Steps Necessary to Maintain a Three-Year Accreditation / What Is Involved with Re-Accreditation? / What Happens When Significant Organizational Change Occurs - Purchases, Mergers, Expansion, New CEO, etc?

VIII. Celebrating Success:
Celebrating with Your Employees / Featuring Your Company in the Media / Promoting Accreditation in Your Community / Five Ways to Kick Back and Enjoy the Moment

IX. Wrapping It Up- Faculty and Audience:
Written Evaluations and Audience Questions

General Information

Hotel Reservations
The CAAS seminar is being held in conjunction with the American Ambulance Association’s 2008 Annual Convention and Trade Show at the Las Vegas Hilton, located at 3000 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109. The hotel reservation number is (888) 732-7117. Reserve your hotel room by October 15, 2008, and mention you are attending the American Ambulance Association’s Annual Convention and Trade Show to receive the special discounted rate of $145 per night per single/double room (state, local and occupancy taxes are currently 9%).  Room block is guaranteed until October 15, 2008. After that date, rooms are subject to prevailing rates and availability. For information on the AAA Conference and fees, please call 1-800-523-4447 or visit www.the-aaa.org.)  

Transportation
The Las Vegas Hilton is located 4 miles from the McCarran International Airport (LAS).  Airport shuttles are located outside of the baggage claim area.  Shuttle service to the strip or downtown costs less than $10. Taxi fares start with $3.20 on the meter, and $2.20 for every additional mile.

Registration
Registration fees are $295.00 for the first person and $275.00 for each additional registration from the same company. Registration fee includes course materials (CAAS standards and application), continental breakfast, and coffee breaks. Lunch is on your own. To assist CAAS in planning and preparation, please register before November 3, 2008.  Early registration is encouraged as class size will be limited. Fill out the Seminar Registration Form. 

Please note: Registering for the American Ambulance Association's Annual Convention does not include the separate registration fee required for the CAAS Seminar ($295 for first person, $275 for each additional person).

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)