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DU’s Health and Counseling Center is one of four colleges in Colorado to achieve accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, an organization which recognizes quality health care.

On Oct.21, DU was able to join the list with Colorado College, CU-Boulder and Colorado State College by receiving accreditation.

AAAHC accreditation shows that DU’s Health and Counseling Center provides a safe work environment and quality care to its patients.

“We’re doing a good job and meeting appropriate standards,” said Sam Alexander, executive director of the Health and Counseling Center.  

The process for accreditation took four years and the involvement of everyone in the HCC. In the first year, all staff members helped write the policy and procedures to be followed to work towards accreditation.

The next step was to document every patient visit, consent form paper work and medical records to prove that a policy was in place and being followed.

Accreditation is not required by any student health center, DU chose to take that extra step to better the health center for the students and staff.

“From the standpoint of a patient it assures them we give high quality service,” said Alexander.

There are three levels of accreditation, including six-month, one year, and three year.

Though one year is the most common, DU received the three-year accreditation.

“I’ll tell you I didn’t expect it,” said Alexander, “it was a sign that they liked what they saw.”

The AAAHC has accredited more than 4,500 ambulatory health care organizations nationwide.

Being accredited requires a lengthy process and not all organizations are granted accreditation even after completing the process.

“I think it’s a great development. I think it makes me feel more confident going there now, not that I wasn’t before,” said sophomore Christian Springer.

He added that his last visit to the health center last quarter he felt comfortable and received good care.

To keep the Health and Counseling Center accredited, DU will need to continue following their set guidelines for quality care.

These guidelines are outlined in a manuel and outline governance and administration, quality of care, clinical services provided, behavioral health services and health education.

The AAAHC was founded in 1979 and is recognized for promoting quality health care through the development of nationally recognized standards and surveying programs.