MedWest-Harris EMS earns national accreditation

8/5/2011

SYLVA, N.C. – The Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) has accredited MedWest-Harris Emergency Medical Services for compliance with national standards of excellence. 

To earn accreditation, MedWest-Harris EMS completed a comprehensive application and an on-site review by national experts in emergency medical services. The two-day review included a thorough evaluation of MedWest-Harris EMS policies, procedures and reporting processes. 

“By being CAAS accredited, we have proven that we have met the gold standard within the field of EMS,” said Steven Rice, MedWest-Harris EMS Director. “The designation reinforces to the community our commitment to continuous improvement and to providing the right care at the right time, whatever the need may be.” 
MedWest-Harris EMS is one of only six ambulance services in North Carolina – and the only one in western North Carolina -- to be accredited by CAAS. Nationwide, there are approximately 160. This is the fourth t t   ime MedWest-Harris has successfully completed the rigorous CAAS accreditation process. 

CAAS was founded in 1990 to encourage and promote improved quality patient care in the nation’s medical transportation system. The organization established a set of national standards that address delivery of patient care, the overall operation of an ambulance service and its relationship with the other agencies, the medical community and general public. CAAS standards often exceed state or local licensing requirements. 

Located on the campus of MedWest-Harris hospital, MedWest-Harris EMS provides emergency services and transport for Jackson County. 
MedWest Health System provides healthcare for the people of western North Carolina at MedWest-Harris, MedWest-Haywood and MedWest-Swain hospitals, the outpatient facility MedWest-Franklin, and through the 100-member MedWest Physician Network. MedWest is affiliated with Carolinas HealthCare System.