CAAS Awards Accreditation to 7 Agencies in April
Includes 2 New Agencies

Two new ambulance services were granted accreditation by the CAAS Panel of Commissioners at its April 26, 2010, meeting. Jersey City Medical Center (Jersey City, NJ) and Riggs Ambulance (Merced, CA) were both granted CAAS accreditation by the Panel.

In addition, five agencies were granted re-accreditation by the Panel: LifeCare Ambulance (Battle Creek, MI), Plano Fire Department (Plano, TX), Rural Metro Medical Services (Syracuse, NY), National EMS (Conyers GA) and Rural Metro Orlando (Orlando, FL).

Please take a moment to reach out and congratulate these agencies on their successful accreditations.

As a reminder - due to the rise in accredited services across the country, the CAAS Panel of Commissioners now meets six times each year. The next Panel meeting is scheduled for June 23, 2010.  

CAAS Continues to Grow During Challenging Economic Times 

As of April 2010, CAAS continues to grow, with 136 accredited agencies representing 38 U.S. states, Canada and the West Indies.  CAAS accredited agencies report that during times of economic challenge, becoming nationally accredited is more important than ever before. Agencies indicate that the value in obtaining and maintaining accreditation is: increased operational, financial and clinical performance and decreased risk and liability. Agencies report fewer employee injuries, fewer clinical errors, reduced occurrence of vehicle accidents and reduced patient-related incidents that could expose the agency to liability.

CAAS Now Offering Additional Education Programs
New Online Webinars Available

With the release of the new standards, CAAS now offers additional educational opportunities to prepare applicant and re-accrediting agencies for submission using the new v3.0 standards. Whether you prefer a traditional classroom setting or web-based distance learning, CAAS has the right educational program for you.

CAAS Accreditation On Demand Webinar Series
 
This four-part webinar series is one of the newest CAAS educational programs designed to assist you in planning for your accreditation or re-accreditation using the CAAS Gold Standards. The program consists of FOUR pre-recorded webinar sessions.  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 online format provides you the opportunity to learn about the CAAS accreditation process directly from your home or office, at a time that is convenient for you.   Review sessions at your own pace, or share them with other members of your agency's accreditation team.  

The series consists of four pre-recorded sessions:

Session 1- The Value of Accreditation to Your Agency (45 minutes)
Session 2- Preparing Your Agency for Accreditation (60 minutes)
Session 3- Understanding and Applying the CAAS Standards (120 minutes)
Session 4- The Application and Review Process (90 minutes)

The registration fee for the CAAS On Demand series is $225.  Registration fee includes on-demand access that you can share with other employees in your organization.  In addition, registered viewers recieve free bonus materials including sample documents, the CAAS Standards Guide (a $25 value) and the CAAS Application Package (a $100 value). To register, complete and return the On Demand Series Registration Form.

CAAS Accrediation Seminar August 23, 2010, Glenview IL 

This full-day seminar held in conjunction with the American Ambulance Association's 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 group interaction format provides ongoing 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.

Registration fees are $425 for a single registration or $375 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 CAAS Accreditation On Demand 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. To register, complete and return the Seminar Registration Form.

CAAS Standards v3.0 Transiton Overview Sessions

Webinar, June 29, 2010, 1:00 pm Central
This program was developed as a general overview of the changes made to the CAAS standards in version 3.0.  Faculty will explain the differences between v2.5 and v3.0, as well as review other standards that often generate questions for agencies seeking CAAS accreditation.  Both re-accrediting and applicant agencies can benefit from this overview.  A question and answer session will be provided.  This webinar is provided at no cost to all applicant and accredited agencies, however all attendees must pre-register, as class size is limited.  For additional information or to register for this webinar, click here.

Hyatt Harborside Hotel, Boston, MA, July 17, 2010, 1:00 pm Eastern
This in-person, interactive session was developed as a general overview of the changes made to the CAAS standards in version 3.0.  Faculty will explain the differences between v2.5 and v3.0, as well as review other standards that often generate questions for agencies seeking CAAS accreditation.  Both re-accrediting and applicant agencies can benefit from this session.  Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions during the session, and interact with other accredited and applicant agencies to discuss best practices.  This session is provided at no cost to all applicant and accredited agencies, however all attendees must pre-register, as class size is limited.  For additional information or to register for this session, click here

CAAS Reviewer Education Schedule
Reviewers Only

CAAS is now scheduling reviewer education sessions for all on-site reviewers.  This program will prepare reviewers for future site reviews using the new CAAS v3.0 standards.  In addition, the program will address preparing for and conducting site reviews, on-site review process and procedures, team responsibilities and proper report writing techniques.  These sessions also provide an excellent opportunity to review the standards, sharpen your reviewer skills, review common pitfalls and issues that occur on-site, and network with other CAAS reviewers. To register, complete and return the Reviewer Education Registration Form.

Schedule In-Brief
July 17, 2010 Hyatt Harborside Hotel, Boston MA (AAA Regional Workshop) NEW
August 25, 2010 Glenview, IL (AAA Workshop)
September 2010 Chicago IL (ACEP Scientific Assembly) TBD
October 6, 2010 Webinar
November 2010 Las Vegas, NV (AAA Annual Conference) TBD
December 8, 2010 Webinar
January 2011 Bonita Springs, FL (NAEMSP Annual Conference) TBD

Additional information regarding dates and times will be distributed to all reviewers as it becomes available.

IMPORTANT Agency Reminders

Last Day to Submit v2.5 Applications is December 31, 2010 

The distribution of the new CAAS standards v3.0 is complete.  All applicant and accredited agencies should have received v3.0 standard packets in December 2009.  If you did not receive a standards package from CAAS, please contact the office right away.  All agencies will be required to submit applications using v3.0 after December 31, 2010.

Submission Date Reminder

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.

CAAS Announces New Board of Directors Representative

CAAS is pleased to announce that Mr. Conrad "Chuck" Kearns will be serving on the CAAS Board of Directors as the representative from NAEMT.  Mr. Kearns will be completing the remainder of the term vacated by Patrick Moore, NAEMT. Prior to his appointment to the CAAS Board of Directors, Mr. Kearns served as an experienced site reviewer and project coordinator.  Please join us in welcoming Mr. Kearns to his new role at CAAS.  

CAAS Panel of Commissioners Seeks New Medical Representative  

At the end of 2010, the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services will be replacing its medical representative on the CAAS Panel of Commissioners due to the completion of term limits.  Kathy Rinnert, MD has served expertly in this position for the past six years, and as panel chair for the past two of those years.  Kathy succeeded previous medical representatives Bob Domeier, MD and Stan Zydlo, MD. 

CAAS is now soliciting applications from qualified EMS physicians to fill the upcoming three year term, beginning in January 2011.  If you know of anyone who may be interested in this position, we invite you to contact CAAS right away so that we may provide you with the necessary application and documents.  Applications will be accepted now until September 1, 2010.  Please contact the CAAS office at 847-657-6828 for additional information.

CAAS is Now on Facebook 

Have you visited any of our media networking sites yet?  CAAS is now on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.  Check in for the latest updates and announcements about CAAS and our accredited agencies. We look forward to seeing you!