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St. Joseph Center for Outpatient Surgery Achieves ACE Designation

Leawood, KS – July 15, 2019
St. Joseph Center for Outpatient Surgery, a NueHealth facility, has achieved Ambulatory Center of Excellence (ACE) designation by ValueHealth.  ACE designation not only aligns with the guidelines of national accrediting bodies, but adds stricter clinical, quality and financial measures that when achieved advance the facility's transition to advanced payment models, including prospective bundles with warranty.  This ACE designation recognizes the delivery of high-quality care and consistently positive outcomes while reducing the overall cost of surgical care. 

Status as an ACE designated facility means St. Joseph Center for Outpatient Surgery has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care set by ValueHealth management principles. Not all ambulatory health care organizations seek accreditation; not all that undergo the rigorous survey process are granted accreditation.  ACE begins with facility-level designation and may be supplemented by procedure-specific certifications for joint replacements, certain spine procedures or other complex orthopedic procedures.

"When you see our ACE designation, you will know that our facility has been strictly surveyed on our processes and procedures. It means that we as an organization care enough about our patients to strive for the highest level of surgical care possible, while reducing the overall cost of care," stated Lindsey Kroenke, Administrator, Surgical Center at St. Joseph Center for Outpatient Surgery.

Ambulatory surgery centers seeking designation undergo an extensive self-assessment and on-site survey by ValueHealth experts. The survey is consultative and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization improve its care and services.

"Going through the process challenged us to find better ways to serve our patients, and it is a constant reminder that our responsibility is to strive to continuously improve the quality of care we provide," said Mary Dailey, Senior Vice President, NueHealth Clinical Operations.

The ValueHealth Ambulatory Center of Excellence (ACE) Program is a highly-selective process for ambulatory surgery centers providing exceptional care and meeting stringent quality and program guidelines. 

An ACE designated facility joins an exclusive tier in US healthcare, recognizing the commitment to excellence that its leadership demands.  Benefits include public awareness of the facility's proven quality; new contracting strategies with the opportunity for multi-payor value-based contracts; and membership in a growing national ACE network.