CAAS Announces Its Summer 2007 Accreditation Seminar:
Prepare for Accreditation Using the Revised CAAS Standards

July 19, 2007
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Hilton NYC
New York City
Room Rate: $215/night
Hotel Reservation Number: 212.586.7000
Please note: This CAAS seminar is being held in conjunction with the American Ambulance Association's Summer meeting. The room rate above is good until June 6, 2007, after which, rooms are subject to prevailing rates and availability. Be sure to mention that you are attending the American Ambulance Association’s Summer Healthcare Reimbursement Conference

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 from an experienced on-site reviewer. 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.

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

What Previous Seminar Attendees Have Said

"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 (Weston)

"Informative, a must if you are planning to be accredited."
-Attendee (Atlanta)