CAAS Announces New Standards version 3.0

In the autumn of 2008, the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) began its third standards revision process.  Twelve individuals from across the country volunteered their time and expertise to review the existing standards.  Using input from EMS experts, CAAS accredited agencies, and site reviewers; the standards review committee focused on the refinement of existing standards and on increasing safety and compliance requirements.  These new CAAS standards, version 3.0, were recently ratified by the CAAS Board of Directors and will become effective January 1, 2010.

CAAS is now beginning to distribute update packets to all accredited and applicant agencies. These packets will contain a copy of the new v3.0 standards, along with a CD containing electronic copies of the new v3.0 standards, v3.0 application, v3.0 documentation checklist, updated agency instructions and the v3.0 reviewer's appendix.  Additionally, there will be an Acknowledgement of Receipt form that must be signed and returned to CAAS headquarters.

Over the next year CAAS will provide education and training to reviewers and agencies on the new v3.0 standards.  Announcements of training opportunities will be distributed by e-mail and posted on the CAAS website.  A brief overview of the new changes will also be provided for your reference.

Transition Schedule for Accredited and Applicant Agencies

In an effort to make the transition process as smooth as possible for our accredited and applicant agencies, the CAAS Board of Directors has approved a twelve month transition period for accredited agencies, or applicant agencies that have been preparing for submission using version 2.5 application documents.  

A. New Applicants
All new applicant agencies that purchase the CAAS standards and application after12/1/2009 will receive standards version 3.0 documents. 

Version 2.5 is no longer being distributed and all new applicants after 12/01/2009 will be required to submit their application on version 3.0 only.

B. Current Applicants
Any agency that purchased the CAAS standards and application before 12/1/2009 would have received the previous version 2.5, and, therefore, will be granted a 12 month transition period. During this transition period, applicants may submit their completed application on either v2.5 or v3.0. 

After 01/01/2011 all applications submitted must be on version 3.0.  Any applications submitted on v2.5 after this date will be returned to the agency.**

C. Accredited Agencies
All reaccreditation applications that are due in house* prior to 01/01/2011 will fall within the 12-month transition period. During this transition period, these applicants may submit on either v2.5 or v3.0, for one cycle only.

All reaccreditation applications that are due in house* after 01/01/2011 will be required to submit on v3.0.  Any applications submitted on v2.5 after this date will be returned to the agency.**

* Transition dates are based upon agency submission due dates, NOT expiration dates.  All agencies are notified of submission dates a) at the time accreditation is granted, b) one year prior to the due date,  c) 6 months prior to the due date, and d) one month prior to the due date.   Additionally, all accredited agencies will again receive written notice of their existing due dates along with the release of the new standards.

** Returned applications will not result in an extension of the agency’s existing expiration date.  Delays in proper submission could result in temporary loss of accreditation status.

If you have any questions regarding the new standards or the transition schedule, please contact CAAS staff at 847-657-6828.

CAAS Accredits Six New Agencies in December 2009

The CAAS Panel of Commissioners granted CAAS accreditation to six new agencies in December.  These six new agencies are: New Castle EMS (New Castle, Delaware), Medstar Ambulance (Fort Worth, Texas), HealthLink Medical Transportation (Taylor, Michigan), Beaumont Medical Transportation (Southfield, Michigan), Community Ambulance (Zanesville, Ohio) and Fishers Fire Department (Fishers, Indiana).

In addition, the Panel of Commissioners also granted re-accreditation to eight agencies across the country.  AMR Colorado (Colorado Springs, Colorado), Gaston County EMS (Gastonia, North Carolina), Professional Ambulance (Cambridge, Massachusetts), Medic West (Las Vegas, Nevada), Rockingham Regional Ambulance (Nashua, New Hampshire), Rural Metro Rochester (Rochester, New York), Three Rivers Ambulance Authority (Fort Wayne, Indiana) and United Ambulance (Lewiston, Maine) were all granted re-accreditation.

Number of Accredited Agencies Continues to Grow

As of December 2009, there are currently 133 accredited agencies representing 37 U.S. states, Canada and the West Indies.  CAAS is continuing to receive new applicants and application requests daily.  CAAS agencies report that during difficult economic times, obtaining and maintaining accreditation is more important than ever.  The CAAS accreditation process offers agencies a template for maintaining an efficient, well run organization that focuses on increased quality and efficiency while decreasing risk and liability across the entire spectrum of the organization.  You can read more about the value of CAAS accreditation during slow economic times in this month's Best Practices in Emergency Services newsletter. CAAS would like to hear from you- tell us how CAAS accreditation has benefited your organization!

CAAS Begins Beta Testing of New Online Submission Portal

We are pleased to announce that the CAAS Accreditation Submission Portal (CASP) is close to launch. The goal of CASP is to translate  the CAAS accreditation submission process from a paper-based process to a completely online, digital process.  CASP is an online portal that agencies seeking accreditation can use across the entire accreditation processing lifecycle.  It was designed to meet the following objectives:

• Simplify the submission process for ambulance agencies by eliminating the need for them to send thousands of pages of paper.
• Shorten the time needed for an agency to prepare their accreditation materials.
• Provide for a more satisfying experience for the agency by enabling them to get more real time help to answer their accreditation-related questions.
• Save trees by reducing the use of paper.

How will it work? CASP is an online portal that allows agencies to upload all of their CAAS-related documentation into an online repository.  An agency may start using CASP from the moment the agency decides to pursue accreditation.  CASP is organized to match the same structure as the CAAS Standards.  Agencies will be provided an account which will allow them to log into the Portal, where they will have their own private, secured area.  Within their CASP account, agencies can review all the standards, and when ready, can upload their required documentation into the system.  Once an agency has completed the process of uploading all their required materials, they can submit their application to CAAS via the Portal – at which point CAAS will review all the materials submitted and will provide feedback to the agency through the portal.

Currently, CASP is undergoing beta testing and a full launch is expected early in 2010.  Stay tuned for more details!!!

CAAS Panel of Commissioners 2010 Schedule

Due to the increased number of applicant and accredited agencies, the CAAS Panel of Commissioners has added two additional meetings to the 2010 schedule.  The panel will now meet every other month beginning in February.  The anticipated meeting schedule for 2010 is:

• February 22, 2010
• April 26, 2010
• June 14, 2010
• August 30, 2010
• October 25, 2010
• December 13, 2010

(subject to change)

Submission Date Reminder- IMPORTANT NOTICE

With the increased number of agencies, it is imperative that re-accrediting agencies submit their applications by their assigned in house due date.  Deadlines for submission are currently six months prior to your agency’s expiration date.  The entire six months is necessary to ensure your agency completes the full off and onsite process and is presented to the Panel of Commissioners before your expiration date.  Late submissions cannot be "fast-tracked", and failure to submit your re-application materials to CAAS by the deadline will likely result in the temporary loss of accreditation status.  Do not let this happen to you!  If you are uncertain of your agency’s submission due date, contact the CAAS office at 847-657-6828.

Holiday Greetings from CAAS

On behalf of the CAAS Board of Directors, the Panel of Commissioners and the CAAS staff, I want to wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.  With 2009 behind us and a new year ahead, I want to thank all of our agencies and reviewers for their devotion to quality in the EMS industry.  When times are difficult, it is tempting to cut quality and performance initiatives, under the misconceived notion that this will "save" our organizations precious dollars.  In reality, this sets the stage for increased errors and future liability.  As you focus on 2010 and beyond, keep your focus on quality ever-present.  It will be the best gift your organization will receive.

Have a safe and happy New Year!

Warm Regards,
Sarah McEntee
Executive Director, CAAS