About QUAD A
OUR HISTORY
Since 1980, QUAD A, a non-profit, physician-founded and led accreditation organization, has worked with thousands of healthcare facilities to help standardize and improve the quality of health care they provide - always striving to be an effective, efficient, and easy to work with partner that values education, reliability, and communication.
1977
American Society of Plastics and Reconstructive (ASPRS) Highlights Need for Independent Oversight
The ASPRS committee identified the need for an independent third party quality assessment program.
1980
American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Plastic Surgery Facilities (AAAAPSF) is Founded
The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Plastic Surgery Facilities accredits outpatient plastic surgery facilities.
1992 - 1994
AAAASPF transitioned into the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF)
AAAAPSF transitions to American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities to serve more ABMS and AOABOS specialties.
1997
QUAD A becomes an approved accreditation provider for California facilities
California requires accreditation for offices providing anesthesia and sedation approving QUAD A as an accreditation agency.
1998
QUAD A becomes Medicare-recognized
QUAD A becomes a Medicare-recognized authority for Ambulatory Surgery Centers.
2001
Mandatory Patient Safety Data Reporting (PSDR) system is introduced
QUAD A introduces a mandatory Patient Safety Data Reporting system.
2005
QUAD A becomes International
QUAD A launches international programs.
2006
Florida mandates office surgery registration for anesthesia or sedation
The Medical Board of Florida mandates office surgery registration for anesthesia or sedation. QUAD A is part of this mandate.
2009
SFR Becomes AAAASF International
Surgery Facility Resources (SFR), part of AAAASF, rebranded to AAAASF International. This change reinforced their global commitment to patient safety, adapting AAAASF’s strict standards for international use, from operating rooms to medication and staff qualifications.
New York State Sets the Bar for Office-Based Surgery Accreditation
New York made history by mandating accreditation for office-based surgeries involving more than mild sedation, effective July 14, 2009. This move paved the way for nationwide standards. QUAD A (at the time AAAASF) was key in shaping the legislation, gaining recognition as an official Accreditation Authority across several smaller states.
2010
QUAD A expands
QUAD A joins Costa Rica’s Ministries of Health and Tourism to promote quality care, and later expands to Guatemala, El Salvador and Colombia.
2011
Medicare Approved
QUAD A becomes the only Medicare-approved authority for Outpatient Physical Therapy
2012
QUAD A Becomes First to Provide Medicare Accreditation for Rural Health Clinics
On March 23, 2012, QUAD A becomes the first national accreditation organization approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for rural health clinics in Medicare and Medicaid.
The Government of Belize invites QUAD A as an expert advisor on healthcare quality and safety.
2014
Flying Eye Hospital gains accreditation
Orbis, a global NGO is accredited by QUAD A.
2015
International Society for Quality in Health Care External Evaluation Association (IEEA) Certified
QUAD A’s global program is certified by the International Society for Quality in Health Care External Evaluation Association.
2017
U.S. Department of State's premier exchange program
QUAD A is invited to present on safety to the Ministry of Public Health of the Dominican Republic at the United Nations.
2018
Expanding Patient Safety through Key Partnerships
QUAD A teams up with AAPD to boost accreditation and safety measures in dental clinics treating minors under sedation.
QUAD A partners with Harvard researchers to drive patient safety improvements through data-driven studies.
2020
QUAD A and ISAPS Partner for Global Accreditation
QUAD A signs an MOU with the International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS).
This collaboration sets the stage for the Global Accreditation Initiative, connecting ISAPS member surgeons with accredited facilities worldwide.
QUAD A Expands in the U.A.E.
On September 21, 2020, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) approves QUAD A as an accreditation organization for outpatient surgery, enabling QUAD A to capture a significant share of the surgery market in the U.A.E.
QUAD A expands its operations in the U.A.E., establishing a strong presence in the Middle East.
2022
AAAASF officially rebrands to QUAD A
QUAD A transitions away from the AAAASF with rebrand
Launches QUAD A Development Kosovo to develop accreditation software
Enters technical advising agreement with Islamabad Regional Health Authority to improve patient safety in Pakistan
QUAD A partners with University College London for continued research efforts
QUAD A joins the International Society for Quality and Health Care
