December 16, 2009

Dear EMS Colleagues:

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.  All changes and revisions in this 3.0 version of the CAAS standards are indicated with a NEW or Rev. 10/2009 notice.

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.  

A. New Applicants:  All new applicant agencies that purchase the CAAS standards and application after 12/1/2009 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.**  

* NOTE- 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.

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 be providing 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, www.caas.org.   A brief overview of the new changes will also be provided for your reference.

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

Sincerely,



Sarah L. McEntee
Executive Director, CAAS