MHPS Surgical Facility Receives Accreditation (10-2001)
New York, NY (July 9, 2001) – The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) has ratified a Bylaws amendment requiring its membership of board-certified plastic surgeons to perform operations requiring anesthesia (other than local anesthesia or minimal tranquilization) only in accredited surgical facilities beginning in July 2002. The move should be a model for other organizations, says ASAPS President Malcolm D. Paul, MD. "The fact that ASAPS members overwhelmingly supported this requirement demonstrates their absolute commitment to the highest standards of patient care," says Dr. Paul. Passage of the amendment by the membership was the final step in confirming an earlier resolution by the ASAPS Board of Directors calling for mandatory accreditation of surgical facilities.
A recent survey showed that 55 percent of ASAPS members operate mainly in an office-based surgical facility. Published data confirm that plastic surgery performed by American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) certified surgeons in accredited office-based facilities has a safety record comparable to hospital surgery.
Currently, the majority of ASAPS members who operate in office facilities say that these facilities are accredited; however, beginning in July 2002, all members will be required annually to submit a signed statement attesting to compliance with the Bylaws amendment requiring mandatory accreditation. Failure to comply with the accredited surgical facility requirement would lead to sanctions up to and including expulsion from membership.
In most states, physicians can legally perform surgery in unaccredited offices without any oversight or peer review. It is ASAPS' position that plastic surgery performed under anesthesia, other than minor local anesthesia and/or minimal oral or intramuscular tranquilization, must be performed in a surgical facility that meets at least one of the following criteria:
Accreditation by a national or state recognized accrediting agency/organization; Certification to participate in the Medicare program under Title XVIII; or Licensure by the state in which the facility is located.
"We want patients to know that when they select an ASAPS member for their cosmetic surgery, they are assured that the highest standards have been met," says Dr. Paul. "These standards include surgeon certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and surgical facility accreditation by a recognized accrediting body."
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) is the leading organization of plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) who specialize in cosmetic surgery of the face and the entire body.
A recent survey showed that 55 percent of ASAPS members operate mainly in an office-based surgical facility. Published data confirm that plastic surgery performed by American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) certified surgeons in accredited office-based facilities has a safety record comparable to hospital surgery.
Currently, the majority of ASAPS members who operate in office facilities say that these facilities are accredited; however, beginning in July 2002, all members will be required annually to submit a signed statement attesting to compliance with the Bylaws amendment requiring mandatory accreditation. Failure to comply with the accredited surgical facility requirement would lead to sanctions up to and including expulsion from membership.
In most states, physicians can legally perform surgery in unaccredited offices without any oversight or peer review. It is ASAPS' position that plastic surgery performed under anesthesia, other than minor local anesthesia and/or minimal oral or intramuscular tranquilization, must be performed in a surgical facility that meets at least one of the following criteria:
Accreditation by a national or state recognized accrediting agency/organization; Certification to participate in the Medicare program under Title XVIII; or Licensure by the state in which the facility is located.
"We want patients to know that when they select an ASAPS member for their cosmetic surgery, they are assured that the highest standards have been met," says Dr. Paul. "These standards include surgeon certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and surgical facility accreditation by a recognized accrediting body."
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) is the leading organization of plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) who specialize in cosmetic surgery of the face and the entire body.
