What does AMAP mean in HOSPITALS

The American Medical Accreditation Program (AMAP) is a service provided by the American Medical Association to validate the competency of physicians in specific areas of medical practice. It provides an independent, third-party accreditation for hospitals and healthcare organizations that meet established standards for quality and excellence in patient care.

The primary benefit of AMAP accreditation is improved patient safety and quality of care. By undergoing an extensive assessment process, accredited facilities demonstrate their commitment to providing safe, high quality care to their patients. Additionally, accreditation can help healthcare organizations increase staff morale, attract qualified personnel, reduce malpractice exposure and promote public confidence in their services.

Eligibility depends on the type of healthcare facility. Generally speaking, all hospitals or healthcare organizations that offer medical services to patients are eligible for AMAP accreditation. This includes long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs), ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), rehabilitation centers, home health agencies and others.

To be considered for AMAP accreditation, a facility must demonstrate compliance with certain program criteria that include general administration; patient rights; clinical outcomes and performance improvement; infection control; professional standards; medical records; medication management; safety requirements; personnel and training processes as well as other quality assurance measures.

Healthcare facilities are required to undergo reaccreditation every three years from the date of initial certification or last recertification. Prior to recertification, facilities must complete an application review process which includes submitting supporting evidence that demonstrates its continued compliance with applicable standards set forth by the American Medical Association’s Manuals & Guides series.

Facilities become accredited through constructing an application which outlines how they meet all program criteria as outlined by the American Medical Association’s Manuals & Guides series, followed by an onsite evaluation conducted by trained surveyors from either The Joint Commission or AAAHC who will assess whether or not further actions need to be taken before being granted full accreditation status.

If a facility fails its initial assessment due to non-compliance with any applicable criteria outlined in the American Medical Association’s Manuals & Guides series within one year from its initial application submission date it will not be granted full certification status until such time as all deficiencies have been corrected and verified through a follow up site visit.

Following an onsite evaluation, surveyors provide written findings identifying any deficiencies found during the assessment process as well as any corrective action plans required in order for final certification status approval. These findings are then reviewed by staff from either The Joint Commission or AAAHC prior to approving any requested certifications.