The Student Health Center received notification of its three-year term of accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. The Health Center received a satisfactory compliance score – the highest score awarded by the AAAHC – in most areas. Areas that received partial compliances were the Health Center’s quality improvement program and its employee and occupational health in healthcare settings – areas that do not directly affect students. All areas involving student health and service received satisfactory compliance and the Health Center received no non-compliant scores. “My interpretation of this is we are putting our students first,” said Julie Hupperich, associate director of the Health Center. AAAHC also recommended the Health Center implement an orientation program for Health Center employees who previously attended only the general orientation for University staff and faculty. The Health Center has already developed a program to address this recommendation. The Health Center also addressed the problems raised with its risk management training. They plan to have employees undergo Web training as part of their annual employee surveys. AAAHC also commented on the legibility of medical charts, the documentation of student allergies and the follow-up notification of students, especially mental health students, who miss their scheduled appointments. Hupperich said issues like these will be corrected with the implementation of an electronic system to handle everything from appointments to medical records. Hupperich said this will greatly benefit students. It will allow them to schedule appointments online at any time and get results of lab work easier. She said the Health Center hopes to fully implement the system between the fall 2008 and spring 2009. Many Health Center programs received a great deal of praise from the surveyor. “The Wellness Education Department is one of the strengths of the Health Center, providing comprehensive health education and wellness programs for both individuals and groups,” wrote Sacared Bodison, AAAHC accreditor, in her evaluation. Bodison also praised the level of Health Center employees’ credentials. The University’s Health Center has many specialists who hold licenses and advanced degrees. Hupperich said it is common for employees of Wellness Education departments to have only a bachelor’s degrees. She said each staff member of the University’s department have advanced degrees or licenses. Students said having an accredited health center on campus is reassuring. “I like having [the Health Center] there,” said Michelle Deshotel, sociology junior. “I have private insurance and would rather get reduced health care at the same quality than go to the doctor my insurance provides.” The three-year period of accreditation is the longest amount of time AAAHC offers between accreditation surveys. Since it first underwent the accreditation process in 1989, the Health Center has always received a three year compliance. The accreditation process is completely voluntary and was carried out by the director of another university health center.
—-Contact Allen Womble at [email protected]