OU Physicians, the state’s largest physician group, today earned reaccreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, a national oversight organization that sets standards for health care providers across the country.
The association awarded OU Physicians a full three-year accreditation – the maximum length possible – after conducting an extensive site review of OU Physicians clinics and facilities.
OU President David L. Boren said, “The full accreditation of OU Physicians underlines the high standards of care made available to all Oklahomans by the state’s largest physicians group. It is another example of OU’s commitment to improve the quality of life in our state.”
Accreditation is a voluntary process that allows ambulatory health care organizations to measure their performance and quality of services against nationally recognized standards.
“We are committed to enhancing clinical care, quality and patient outcomes, and we work continuously to accomplish those objectives,” said Lynn Mitchell, M.D., OU Physicians chief medical officer. “We are proud of the work we do here and are honored to be awarded national accreditation. It signifies a commitment to excellence across the board.”
The process requires extensive internal assessment and evaluation as well as an on-site survey by a professional team of physicians, nurses and administrators. The site visit includes tours and observations of departments and clinical work areas in addition to reviews of policies and procedures. The overall clinical environment is assessed with special attention given to quality and patient safety concerns. Only a small number of the nation’s university-based physician groups have been awarded accreditation during the 38-year history of the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. OU Physicians earned its first accreditation in 2008.