Surgery Center of Pinehurst has achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

Accreditation distinguishes this surgical center from many other outpatient surgical facilities by providing a safe work environment and the highest quality of care to its patients, according to a news release.

Status as an accredited organization means Surgery Center of Pinehurst has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care, set by the association. Almost 5,000 ambulatory health care organizations across the United States are accredited by AAAHC. Not all ambulatory health care organizations seek accreditation; not all undergoing the on? site survey are granted accreditation.

"We believe our patients deserve the best," said Tracey Harbour, administrator of Surgery Center of Pinehurst. "When you see our certificate of accreditation, you will know that the AAAHC, an independent, not-for-profit organization, has closely examined our facility and procedures. It means that we as an organization care enough about our patients to strive for the highest care possible."

Ambulatory health care organizations seeking accreditation by the AAAHC undergo an extensive self-assessment and on? site survey by the association's expert surveyors - volunteer physicians, nurses and administrators who are actively involved in ambulatory health care. The survey is consultative and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization improve its care and services.

"Going through the process challenged us to find better ways to serve our patients, and it is a constant reminder that our responsibility is to our patients and the quality of care we provide," Harbour said.

AAAHC accreditation is specifically for organizations that provide diagnostic or medical care on an outpatient basis, where an overnight stay would not be required. Among the types of ambulatory health care organizations that can seek AAAHC are ambulatory and office? based surgery centers, single and multi? specialty group practices, college health centers, dental group practices, community health centers, occupational health centers and managed care organizations.

Opened in January 2006, Surgery Center of Pinehurst is a joint venture between First Health of the Carolinas, area physicians and Nueterra Healthcare.

With six operating rooms and two procedure rooms, the facility is equipped to support a variety of surgical specialties including ear, nose and throat, general surgery, gynecology, orthopedic surgery, pain management, pediatric ophthalmology, plastic surgery, podiatry and urology.

Surgery Center of Pinehurst is the only ambulatory surgical center in Pinehurst. It has a patient satisfaction rating of 98 percent. It previously recognition among Today's Surgicenter Magazine's Who's Who in the Ambulatory Surgery Industry.