By Guest Columnist Jim Pollard, MA, NRP
When anyone dials 911 for an ambulance, the caller expects the paramedics and EMTs to deliver prompt, medically sound, safe and compassionate care. But how does the public know their ambulance service meets recognized national standards for all aspects of its operation? One measure of quality is earning accreditation from the international Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS). AMR Central Mississippi (AMR), serving Hinds and Smith counties, recently passed the Commission’s in-depth review to continue its accreditation through December 2026. That is the ninth time since 1994 CAAS has re-accredited AMR. By passing the Commission’s review, AMR remains one of less than 200 CAAS-accredited ambulance services in the Western Hemisphere.
The Commission’s website (www.caas.org) lists AMR as the only CAAS-accredited ambulance service in Mississippi.
To be accredited, an ambulance service must prove to CAAS that it complies with the Commission’s hundreds of detailed requirements. The Commission requires the applicant to submit an extensive written self-assessment and host out-of-state reviewers who examine all aspects of the operation. The requirements cover training for paramedics and EMTs, oversight of patient care, equipment and vehicle maintenance, safety, call-taking and dispatch, community education, financial workings and other elements of providing ambulance service.
Numerous national medical transportation organizations have recognized the Commission’s requirements as “the gold standard” for the industry. The CAAS board of directors includes representatives of the American Ambulance Association, National Association of EMTs, National Association of EMS Physicians, International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Association of State EMS Directors. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a federal agency, provides a liaison to the CAAS board. The Commission is based in Glenview, IL.
“We are honored to have again received accreditation from CAAS,” said AMR operation manager Ryan Wilson. “Accreditation underscores our team’s commitment to serve our communities with excellence.”
CAAS is often described as the ambulance service industry’s equivalent of The Joint Commission, the body which accredits hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare organizations. Jay Fitch, Ph.D., is a top consultant on building and running medical transport systems. His book, Prehospital Care Administration: The Industry’s Best Articles, Essays and Case Studies on the Toughest EMS Issues has a chapter, “The Value of Ambulance Accreditation.” There, Dr. Fitch writes, “How do local officials judge the quality of an ambulance service? While there are a number of indicators, the most comprehensive mechanism…is the accreditation process developed by CAAS.”
To learn more about the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, visit www.caas.org.