Student health care receives new AAAHS accreditation

Like Stony Brook University Student Healthcare continues to add new services for students, but it does not rest on its laurels. The department recently received accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Services (AAAHS) after a demanding and thorough review of its facilities and offerings.

“(It) is not required, but we are doing it to set the bar,” said Marisa Bisiani, vice president for health, wellness and prevention in the Division of Student Affairs.

Bisiani explained that this rigorous accreditation takes into account many factors, including quality metrics and student satisfaction, as well as services offered to students. “They look at every aspect of our practice from a medical perspective, our policies, how we practice and how well we practice,” she said. “They also look at our care environment — is it safe and clean. Everything.”

While Bisiani is an integral part of accreditation, she explained that the driving force behind the survey was Karen Dybus, interim director of patient services and operations for Student Health Services. Every three years, AAAHS sends out the latest operational standards that must be met to achieve accreditation, and the committee begins to gather all the information. Dybus said that while accreditation renewal only occurs every three years, student health services must be up to date with all protocols and have documentation for them before they can apply for reaccreditation.

“We have to be proactive on a regular basis to make sure we’re completing all the necessary tasks on time,” Dybus said. That includes conducting at least one exercise per quarter, two of which are CPR exercises.

According to AAAHS, accreditation ensures a continued commitment to high-quality patient care, something that both Bisiani and Dybus see as important to the Stony Brook University community. “For students, their parents and guardians, it means there’s a place on campus that’s accessible to them and provides really high-quality care,” Dybus said.

But, Dybus noted, it’s not just about accreditation. By regularly examining the processes of the Student Health Service, it allows staff to become aware of any gaps, problems or outdated procedures.

“If we actually find that there is something we can improve, either from a clinical or business standpoint, we can study it, measure it and provide a formal report and recommendations,” Dybus said, explaining that once recommendations are implemented, new research is commissioned on on an ongoing basis to ensure that faculty achieve the level of performance they strive for.

“It’s about process improvement, continuous improvement; we are always trying to do better,” Bisiani said. “Students deserve high-quality care. They deserve the care they or anyone else would want to receive. We do it because it is our duty. This is our mission.”

In addition to a range of mental and physical health services, Student Health Services emphasizes the following:

• External prescriptions: The Student Health Service will fill prescriptions from doctors without students having to leave the university premises.
• Lab Testing: Students requiring blood tests can schedule them through Student Health Services on campus, without having to use an outside lab.
• Telehealth: Outside of normal office hours, the Student Health Service offers telehealth visits. Timely care so that students can receive care quickly.