San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation Granted Critical Access Hospital Accreditation

San Carlos Apache Reservation, Ariz. — In a major accomplishment, the San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation (SCAHC) has been granted Critical Access Hospital accreditation in recognition of the high quality of care and 24-hour-day emergency room at its hospital in Peridot and clinic in Bylas. 

 The Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Critical Access Hospitals was awarded by The Joint Commission, the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. To earn and maintain The Joint Commission accreditation a healthcare organization must undergo a comprehensive on-site survey at least every three years. 

“Achieving accreditation as a Critical Access Hospital has been our top priority because it validates the high standard of care we provide and provides assurance to the community that they will receive excellent health care at our facilities,” says Victoria Began, San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corp. Chief Executive Officer. “The accreditation is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our 779 employees.” 

The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 22,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. 

“The San Carlos Apache Tribe is extremely proud of SCAHC’s achievement and congratulates all of its employees who have overcome extremely difficult challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic to meet the rigorous accreditation standards,” says San Carlos Apache Tribe Chairman Terry Rambler. “SCAHC is providing vital health care services to our entire region and all of our tribal members will benefit.” 

Achieving Critical Access Hospital accreditation provides many benefits to the community including reducing the financial vulnerability of SCAHC and improving access to health care in rural communities. It also recognizes SCAHC as the foundation for delivering health care in a rural area and creates transition of care between SCAHC and urban health care systems.