BOWLING GREEN, O.—Two national organizations have recognized Bowling Green State University's Student Health Service for excellence.

The service has been re-accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, attaining the highest ranking possible for 399 out of 400 quality measures—“a truly remarkable accomplishment,” noted Student Health Service Director Dr. Glenn Egelman in congratulating the health service team on the achievement.

Status as an accredited organization means BGSU has met a series of rigorous and nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care, Egelman explained.

Ambulatory health care organizations seeking accreditation by the AAAHC undergo an extensive on-site, peer-based survey of their facilities and services. Only about 10 percent of student health services nationwide achieve the distinction.

The Student Health Service first received accreditation from the AAAHC in 1996.

In addition, the Society of Internal Medicine recognized Egelman and the health service for creating clinical best practices.

The Society of Internal Medicine is the nation's premier organization for primary-care, internal-medicine physicians and is dedicated to “improving patient care, education and research in primary care and general medicine,” according to the society.

The Student Health Service will receive a subscription to UpToDate, a cooperative effort of thousands of expert clinicians that offers the most current information on various clinical topics. Using UpToDate, the staff will be able to create a series of evidence-based best practices for many common health-care topics seen in the student population.

“This will ensure provision of the highest-quality health care and will allow us to better document and evaluate our ability to educate our students,” Egelman said.

The health service will also be able to provide students with the latest informational handouts explaining their diagnoses.

# # #

(Posted April 14, 2006)