INTRODUCTION

AACI develops accreditation standards for healthcare organizations, addressing key areas of organizational performance. Periodic revision of the standards is an ongoing process. It is supported by current customers, patient groups, relevant surveyors, healthcare group leaders, sales staff, and any other relevant external experts. Additionally, the evolution of national and international standards, rules, regulation, and advisory body guidelines are updated and included.

AACI standards are developed, piloted, used, and refined for hospitals, outpatient specialist centers, rehabilitation centers, wellness spas, and dental clinics. An International Standard Advisory Committee composed of experienced physicians, dentists, and healthcare managers guides the development process and the need for new or revised standards. These standards are the basis of our accreditation services, providing a clear roadmap for dental staff and delivering confidence to all stakeholders, including patients, board members, insurers and regulatory agencies. Through years of healthcare facility evaluation, AACI has developed a standard which allows individual dental organizations to design processes that fit their scope of practice and community need. By doing so, we have promoted planning flexibility in the decisions made by top management. By allowing this methodology we have also discovered that "check-list" survey methods at best promote compliance. Our standard on the other hand, assures compliance and promotes an environment of excellence driven by on-going monitoring, measuring, analysis, correction, and corrective action. Constantly improving processes and quality performance guarantees intended outcomes and promotes customer satisfaction. Information and experience related to the standards is gathered on an ongoing basis. If a standard no longer reflects contemporary dental practice, commonly available technology, quality management practices, similar, it will be revised or deleted. It is currently anticipated that the standards will be revised and published approximately every 4 years. Additionally, AACI offers the unique service of a virtually immediate response to any question involving our standards or their interpretation. It is our purpose to make flexibility possible for your unique needs and maintain an on-going compliance with CMS, ISO, WHO, and other nationally and internationally recognized requirements.

AACI is the only accreditation body to combine the leading edge of medical and administrative advancement and the constant evolution of the Medicare Conditions of Participation and WHO policy, with a quality business management system into a unified accreditation program. We have merged clinical requirements with some of the most recognized management standards in the world: ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and ISO 31000.

This introduction is designed to provide you with information on the following topics: 

• Application 

• The origin of the standards and how they are organized 

• The international accreditation processes 

• Guidelines how to use this Set of standards This AACI standard relies on a management system approach. This implies that identifying, understanding and managing the system of interrelated processes for quality and safety improves the dental organization’s effectiveness and efficiency.

Reference to the dental organization management system includes (by default) the integration of the quality management and the administrative components in a symbiosis of mutual responsibility and accountability.

The following principles are applied in this standard:

 • Governance 

• Leadership 

• Risk management 

• Patient focused care

This AACI International Accreditation Standard relies on a management system approach and is based on the quality management principles described in ISO 9001:2015.

The quality management principles are: 

• Customer focus 

• Leadership 

• Engagement of people 

• Process approach 

• Improvement 

• Evidence-based decision making 

• Relationship management

 The descriptions include a statement of each principle, a rationale of why the principle is important for the dental organization, some examples of benefits associated with the principle and examples of typical actions to improve the organization’s performance when applying the principle.

The PDCA (Plan–Do–Check–Act) principle can be applied to all processes in the dental organization management system as a whole: PLAN: establish the objectives and identify the risk and opportunities of the system, its processes, and the resources needed to deliver the intended results in accordance with significant interested party’s requirements and the dental organization’s scope of service.

DO: implement and control planned processes.

CHECK: monitor and measure appropriate processes in order to achieve the intended results.

ACT: review the results and take actions to improve performance, as necessary.

This AACI standard addresses general safety for workers, patients, and other visitors within dental organizations. This means that service providers can use the AACI standards to continuously improve the quality and safety of their care by assessing and managing the performance of their services, and those provided on their behalf, against the AACI. This document is also includes principles based upon the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Conditions of Participation for Hospitals 42 C.F.R § 482 and State Operations Manual Regulations and Interpretive Guidelines for Hospitals, ISO 9001 Quality management system Standard and EN 15224 Health care services – Quality management systems.

This standard is periodically updated.

When standard compliance is related to a laws and regulations, whichever sets the higher or stricter requirement applies.

Where any requirements of this standard cannot be applied due to the nature of the dental organization and its processes, this can be considered for exclusion. Where exclusions are made, claims of conformity to this standard are not acceptable, unless such exclusions do not affect the dental organization’s ability or responsibility to control the manner required by this standard. Any claims of exclusion shall be detailed, and justification provided. The requirements of these standards are designed to support the development and continual improvement of quality and patient safety in the dental organizations. Standards promote responsibility and accountability for the quality and safety of services provided. By incorporating national and international best available evidence(s), this standard also promotes dental healthcare that is up to date, effective, and consistent. Importantly, Standards for Dental Organizations provide a basis for planning and managing services, measuring improvements, and identifying quality and safety requirements.

In keeping with the ISO 9001:2015 standard, this AACI International Accreditation Standard similarly defines the following English modal verbs:

 ― “shall” indicates a requirement;

 ― “should” indicates a recommendation,

 ― “may” indicates a permission, 

― “can” indicates a possibility or a capability.

Information marked as NOTE is for guidance in understanding or clarifying the associated requirement.