The Regional Ambulatory Surgery Center (RASC) has achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC/Accreditation Association), according to Kathy Wortman RN,

Administrator and Clinical Director.  This three-year accreditation is the maximum allowed.  This is an achievement greater than required by the Pennsylvania State Department of Health.

Status as an accredited organization means The Regional Ambulatory Surgery Center has passed a series of rigorous and nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care set by the Accreditation Association.

"Accreditation underscores our long-standing commitment to providing the highest possible levels of quality care to the community we serve," said Kathy Wortman. "We are pleased and proud to have our efforts recognized with this accreditation.  The AAAHC looks at the quality of service most importantly."

Ambulatory health care organizations seeking accreditation by the AAAHC undergo an extensive on-site, two day, peer-based survey of its facilities and services. Not all ambulatory health care organizations seek accreditation; not all undergoing the on-site survey are granted accreditation.

RASC is the only healthcare facility in Elk and McKean Counties to be accredited by a nationally recognized body.  Other healthcare facilities are only state accredited.

The Regional Ambulatory Surgery Center opened in May of 2002 on Bucktail Road in St. Marys and has since provided care for over 10,000 patients from over 7 counties. The facility is state of the art, with a  physical layout that allows more convenient parking, easier accessibility and a more patient and family oriented environment.

The AAHC accreditation standards require ongoing patient satisfaction surveys, and RASC consistently produces a customer satisfaction rate is 99.5%.  Many of the  patients are repeat customers. "Today's patient is a more informed medical consumer and is aware that they have a choice in their care," said Mrs. Wortman.

The highly specialized surgical care offered at RASC allows improved efficiency and shorter waiting times for patients and families. Medical innovation and advances mean more and more procedures will be suitable for the ambulatory surgical setting. Procedures that once required major incisions, deep sedation and extended convalescence now can be done through closed techniques with conscious sedation, and minimal recovery time. The RASC Medical staff of 14 physicians offer surgery in the specialties of Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, General Surgery, Gynecology, Oral and Maxillofacial, and Podiatry.

Several physicians from surrounding areas are now bringing their patients to St. Marys to use the facility for surgical cases.  Planning is in progress for the addition of new surgical specialties and other new services, allowing the regional community to have greater access to healthcare.

For more information about the Regional Ambulatory Surgery Center, please contact Kathy Wortman at 814-781-6565.

Regional Ambulatory Surgery Center achieved accreditation

The Regional Ambulatory Surgery Center (RASC) has achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC/Accreditation Association), according to Kathy Wortman RN, Administrator and Clinical Director.  This three-year accreditation is the maximum allowed.  This is an achievement greater than required by the Pennsylvania State Department of Health.

Status as an accredited organization means The Regional Ambulatory Surgery Center has passed a series of rigorous and nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care set by the Accreditation Association.

"Accreditation underscores our long-standing commitment to providing the highest possible levels of quality care to the community we serve," said Kathy Wortman. "We are pleased and proud to have our efforts recognized with this accreditation.  The AAAHC looks at the quality of service most importantly."

Ambulatory health care organizations seeking accreditation by the AAAHC undergo an extensive on-site, two day, peer-based survey of its facilities and services. Not all ambulatory health care organizations seek accreditation; not all undergoing the on-site survey are granted accreditation.

RASC is the only healthcare facility in Elk and McKean Counties to be accredited by a nationally recognized body.  Other healthcare facilities are only state accredited.

The Regional Ambulatory Surgery Center opened in May of 2002 on Bucktail Road in St. Marys and has since provided care for over 10,000 patients from over 7 counties. The facility is state of the art, with a  physical layout that allows more convenient parking, easier accessibility and a more patient and family oriented environment.

The AAHC accreditation standards require ongoing patient satisfaction surveys, and RASC consistently produces a customer satisfaction rate is 99.5%.  Many of the  patients are repeat customers. "Today's patient is a more informed medical consumer and is aware that they have a choice in their care," said Mrs. Wortman.

The highly specialized surgical care offered at RASC allows improved efficiency and shorter waiting times for patients and families. Medical innovation and advances mean more and more procedures will be suitable for the ambulatory surgical setting. Procedures that once required major incisions, deep sedation and extended convalescence now can be done through closed techniques with conscious sedation, and minimal recovery time. The RASC Medical staff of 14 physicians offer surgery in the specialties of Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, General Surgery, Gynecology, Oral and Maxillofacial, and Podiatry.

Several physicians from surrounding areas are now bringing their patients to St. Marys to use the facility for surgical cases.  Planning is in progress for the addition of new surgical specialties and other new services, allowing the regional community to have greater access to healthcare.

For more information about the Regional Ambulatory Surgery Center, please contact Kathy Wortman at 814-781-6565.