NueHealth Facility Jefferson Surgery Center - Blue Bell Receives AAAHC Accreditation

LEAWOOD, Kan., March 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Jefferson Surgery Center – Blue Bell, a NueHealth facility, has achieved both three-year accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and Medicare Deemed Status.

Since its founding in 1979, the AAAHC has evaluated ambulatory surgery centers for accreditation using a strict and thorough process that includes a complete on-site survey. Accreditation signals that Jefferson Surgery Center – Blue Bell provides the highest quality of care to its patients as determined by the AAHC.

On average, the AAHC's rigorous accreditation process takes approximately three to four months, Jefferson Surgery Center – Blue Bell voluntarily requested accreditation in December 2018. "We sought a true review of our entire organization," said Philomena Glowka, Administrator of Jefferson Surgery Center – Blue Bell. "We want to build upon our strengths and identify areas where we can improve so we're always providing the highest quality of care."

Blue Bell staff and board members were thoroughly prepared for the accreditation process, resulting in a relatively short turnaround time of only two months. "It was hard, but it was definitely worthwhile - and even fun," said Vicky Connor, Director of Clinical Operations and Project Director for NueHealth. "We had knowledgeable staff who were prepared and worked with a sense of camaraderie. To be able to take on something you know is going to be difficult but approach it with high quality and efficiency, that's exactly how the Surgery Center itself runs."

All ambulatory health care organizations seeking AAAHC accreditation undergo an extensive self-assessment and on-site survey by AAAHC expert surveyors, including physicians, nurses, and administrators who are actively involved in ambulatory health care.

"It is an honor to receive the accreditation, and validation of our commitment to our facilities and their patients," said Connor.

Jefferson Surgery Center – Blue Bell was created when NueHealth, in partnership with Rothman Institute, Jefferson Health, and 14 individual multi-specialty physicians, acquired what was formerly the Blue Bell Surgery Center in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania in May 2018, with NueHealth assuming day-to-day management of the facility.

Originally founded in 2008 by a group of independent physicians, Blue Bell Surgery Center had been owned and managed by a third-party health system operator from 2013-2018. The reorganization into what is now Jefferson Surgery Center – Blue Bell put ownership of the surgery center back in the hands of physician owners, while also providing a lower cost site of service.

"The original doctors were an integral part of the accreditation process," said Glowka. "They have a commitment to the facility, and they, along with the entire Blue Bell team, take great pride in the facility and in knowing we're providing good care."

About NueHealth
Since 1997, NueHealth has partnered with over 10,000 physician investors and 20 health system partners to develop lower-cost sites of service, expanding into more than 150 facilities, including physician-owned surgery centers, surgical hospitals and hyper specialty centers. Today, NueHealth operates in over 30 states, positioning their Ambulatory Centers of Excellence™ (ACE) to be national leaders in the transition to value-based care. For more information, visit www.nuehealth.com.

About the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care
The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, founded in 1979, is the leader in ambulatory health care accreditation with more than 6,000 organizations accredited nationwide. AAAHC accredits a variety of organizations including, ambulatory surgery centers, office-based surgery centers, endoscopy centers, student health centers, military health care clinics, and large medical and dental practices. AAAHC serves as an advocate for the provision of high-quality health care through the development of nationally recognized standards and through its survey and accreditation programs. AAAHC accreditation is recognized as a symbol of quality by third-party payers, medical organizations, liability insurance companies, state and federal agencies and the public. Additional information is available at www.aaahc.org.

About Rothman Orthopaedics
Since its founding in 1970, Rothman Orthopaedics has grown from a single Philadelphia office into one of the nation's largest and most-respected orthopaedic practices. Orthopaedics is all that this organization does. Rothman Orthopaedics remains consistently focused on treating both routine and complex musculoskeletal issues that result in a higher quality of life for its patients. It's a powerhouse of innovation and an international leader in developing new treatments, testing new devices and setting surgical standards. It's a research pioneer that is committed to uncovering the root cause of orthopaedic diseases and injuries and finding better ways to treat them. It's a teaching organization that trains dozens of residents and fellows each year and conducts teaching sessions via simulcast and webcast to colleagues around the world. As the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute has grown in capability, staff and reputation, it has broadened its reach into dozens of communities throughout the Philadelphia suburbs, New Jersey and New York. While this growth is impressive, it hasn't come at the expense of the patient experience. Rothman Orthopaedics will always "practice local", putting an emphasis on caring for its patients in the communities in which they live. For more information, visit www.rothmanortho.com.

About Jefferson Health
Jefferson Health is reimagining health care in the greater Philadelphia region and southern New Jersey. Our dedicated team of doctors, nurses, health professionals and staff provides a range of primary to highly specialized care through 14 hospitals (seven Magnet®-designated for nursing excellence), more than 40 outpatient and urgent care locations, the NCI-designated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center and Magee Rehabilitation. Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Inc., is nationally ranked in 10 specialty areas by U.S. News & World Report (2018-19). For more information, visit JeffersonHealth.org. 

Media Contact:
Allison Chick
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SOURCE NueHealth