By Andrew Carr
The Sentinel
CARLISLE, Pa. — A local EMS company recently joined the ranks of only seven Pennsylvania EMS agencies to be awarded national accreditation.
Cumberland Goodwill EMS was awarded the distinction after completing a multi-year project to achieve the accreditation through the Commission on the Accreditation of Ambulance Services.
Through both remote and onsite inspections of the agency’s policies, personnel, community and external relations, medical records, billing procedures and communication processes
“It was about a 4-year long process to earn initial accreditation,” said Nathan Harig, assistant chief. “During that time we examined every policy and procedure we had to ensure that it complied with CAAS’ evaluation criteria, leading to many additions, rewrites, policy changes and consultations with other agencies.”
Harig said while some of these changes were visible to the public, such as a more active outreach campaign and equipping every provider with a handheld radio when they are on duty, a lot of behind-the-scenes changes took place, including hiring policies, medication handling and continued training for employees.
“We’re regularly reviewing response times, provider competencies, financial processes and a whole host of other statistics in a way that’s been approved by a national accrediting body with ways to quickly identify and correct deficiencies,” he said.
Cumberland Goodwill was awarded the accreditation at its February board meeting.
The company is one of only seven Pennsylvania agencies and one of nearly 160 nationwide to meet this “gold standard” of modern emergency medical care. Cumberland Goodwill EMS joins Lancaster EMS as the only other nationally accredited agency located in the Midstate.
“It’s a huge accomplishment for all of us,” Harig said. “We actually interact with Lancaster often, and a lot of our management team saw what Lancaster EMS has accomplished through their accreditation and realized that that is where we and the industry should head.”
This process ensures that the residents of the greater Carlisle area are receiving high quality emergency care and that processes are in place for continuous improvement, Harig said.
Throughout the process leading up to accreditation, rates for ambulance services stayed unchanged for more than two years with no immediate rate changes planned. Even with service rates fixed, Cumberland Goodwill was able to hire additional staff, purchase ambulances, add new mobile technologies, start new services, pay off debt, renovate facilities and boost employee pay. The agency credits the accreditation process for increased efficiency and effectiveness. Cumberland Goodwill is hopeful that accreditation status will help to retain current high-quality providers, as well as attract and shape the next generation of first responders willing to work at a high achievement agency.
“Patients benefit from our increased efficiency and effectiveness not only before and during a call, but also after it — our rates haven’t changed in over two years with the funds we’ve reclaimed through the CAAS process, and we were still able to dramatically improve services,” he said.
As part of the inspection process, the commission examined records and processes at Cornerstone Adminisystems of New Cumberland, Cumberland Goodwill’s billing partner. Similarly, facilities and processes at the Cumberland County Department of Public Safety’s dispatching center, which handles all 911 emergency calls for Cumberland Goodwill EMS, were also inspected. Both Cornerstone and the county Department of Public Safety helped Cumberland Goodwill achieve accreditation status.
Cumberland Goodwill views accreditation as a process, not just a single project that is only achieved once. The agency is committed to ensuring that all high standards continue to be met and will undergo triennial reviews by the commission to keep its accredited status.
“We’re hopeful other agencies will continue to aim for the higher standards set by CAAS — it signifies a determination to make sure the processes are there for continuous improvement,” Harig said. “We may not be perfect at some things, but thanks to accreditation, we have processes in place to make sure we’re always on the path to get better.”
©2015 The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pa.)