Mich. ambulance service keeps up with rising standards in recent reaccreditation

By Jordyn Pair
mlive.com

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — An ambulance agency serving a large portion of southeast Michigan has been reaccredited.

Emergent Health Partners received its most recent accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services Feb. 24, according to a release from the nonprofit.

Emergent Health Partners is the parent organization for several ambulance services in southeast Michigan. It serves all of Washtenaw, Jackson, Branch and Monroe counties, as well as portions of surrounding communities.

The Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services is a nonprofit deciding whether a particular agency is meeting national standards for providing emergency service. The commission looks at a variety of standards, including staffing levels, mutual aid agreements with neighboring agencies, vehicle maintenance, available medical oversight and organization of the agency’s administration to determine whether it can be accredited, according to its website.

The reaccreditation shows Huron Valley Ambulance’s dedication to quality care, said Ron Slagell, the organization’s CEO, in a statement. HVA is accredited under Emergent Health Partners, which is based in Ann Arbor.

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“This recognition reflects the dedication and professionalism of our entire team, who work tirelessly to ensure the highest standards in EMS,” Slagell said. “We take great pride in being among the nation’s elite ambulance services, and we will continue striving to provide the best possible care to our community.”

HVA, founded in 1981, was first accredited in 1996, said spokesperson Marc Breckenridge.

“We were one of the very first and have maintained it ever since,” Breckenridge said.

Accreditation standards have risen in recent years, with a particular focus on first responder safety, Breckenridge said. The dangers of electric vehicles, which pose unique fire risks, have been a recent focal point, he said.

“They’re making it harder every time,” said Breckenridge, adding paramedics like the increased safety standards.

“It’s already at a high bar.”

Emergent Health Partners was founded in December 2012 and incorporated several area emergency services, Breckenridge said. It was accredited as a parent organization in the following accreditation cycle, Breckenridge said.

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