The Process

Any facility that meets the Accreditation Association for Podiatric Surgical Facilities survey eligibility criteria (see below) may apply for an accreditation survey. The accreditation is primarily intended for offices and/or ambulatory surgical facilities that solely provide podiatric surgical services. 

A facility is deemed to be eligible for an accreditation survey by the AAPSF if the facility meets the following requirements:

• Currently in operation in the State of Maryland or the State of Georgia and actively caring for patients. When the facility has been in operation for less than six months the accreditation award may include a contingency for a follow-up visit within one year after accreditation is granted so that the facility's record of performance can be evaluated. 
• In compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
• Providing podiatric surgical and medical care that is under the direction or supervision of a duly licensed podiatrist or group of podiatrists who accept responsibility for that care. 
• Operating without limitation because of age, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, race, religion, or creed. 
• Submitted Application for Survey and other documents in advance of the survey as required. 

Podiatric surgical facilities located in Maryland or Georgia that wish to apply for accreditation by AAPSF should begin by downloading the application document and the AAPSF Standards available on this website. 

The Application for Survey should be returned via email to info@aapsf.com and the facility should retain a copy for their records. At the time of application, payment of the survey fee ($4,000) should be submitted to AAPSF at 193 West Paddock Circle, Arnold, MD 21012.

Once the application and payment have been received, AAPSF will provide email confirmation and will reach out by phone to schedule a survey date.

Survey fees are directly related to the cost of AAPSF operations and are determined annually. Except where prohibited by law, the survey fee must be paid in advance.

If the facility cancels the survey in writing more than four weeks before the survey date, 75% of the survey fee will be refunded. If the organization cancels the survey in writing less than four weeks before the survey date AAPSF will refund 50% of the survey fee, less any direct costs incurred in preparing for the survey.

If the organization has more than one location that they desire to have accredited, an effort will be made to schedule survey at these additional locations at the time of the primary survey; however, an additional fee will be charged for each satellite location. Such facilities should contact the AAPSF office as early as possible in the planning process to facilitate efficient scheduling of surveys.

Accreditation surveys are conducted by AAPSF surveyors, all of whom are podiatrists and/or administrators/consultants that are familiar with facilities similar to the one being evaluated. The amount of time required for a survey is determined by the AAPSF surveyor based on information provided in the facility's Application for Survey.

The AAPSF will notify the facility shortly after receipt of the completed application and a mutually convenient survey date will be determined. If a facility undergoes any major changes prior to the survey date, these must be reported in writing to AAPSF within 30 days of the change. Major changes that must be reported include:

• Change in ownership of the facility 
• Change in licensure of the facility or any medical staff member 
• Additions or deletions in the surgical/medical staff 
• Any revocation or suspension of State Controlled Substance License, or Federal DEA 
• Change of facility location 

To minimize the impact of a survey on a facility's scheduled activities, the AAPSF attempts to honor written requests that specify dates during which an organization prefers not to be surveyed. 

The purpose of the AAPSF accreditation survey is to assess the extent of the facility’s compliance with the applicable AAPSF standards. It is the expectation that each organization be in full compliance with every standard. The extent of compliance is assessed through at least one of the following means:

• Documentary evidence (documentation and/or evidence provided in writing);
• Answers to detailed questions concerning documentation;
• On-site observations and interviews by surveyors;
• Tour of the Facility;
• Review of policies and procedures, medical records, etc. 

In the event the surveyor finds that some part of the facility's operations adversely affects patient health and safety, such findings may be considered to negatively affect the accreditation decision even if the AAPSF standards do not specifically cover those operations.

The survey is to be conducted in such a manner so as to enable the surveyors to gather information with minimal disruption of the daily activities of the organization. Organizations will be asked in advance to have specific documents and other information available to the surveyors. The facility may also be asked to submit other documents directly to the AAPSF. Surveyors may also ask to see additional materials and may request additional information during the on-site survey.

At the conclusion of the site visit, the surveyors hold an exit conference in which they present their findings to representatives of the facility for discussion and clarification. Various members of the facility's staff are encouraged to take part in this conference. The reports and recommendations of the survey team are then submitted to the AAPSF Accreditation Committee for review and decision as described later in the section titled "accreditation decision process".

Failure to document compliance with an AAPSF standard may result in a deficiency notice which will require the facility provide a completed acceptable Plan of Correction using the AAPSF format. The completed acceptable Plan of Correction should be sent to AAPSF via email at info@aapsf.com within 14 days of the deficiency notice. 

After the site visit is completed, the AAPSF Accreditation Committee will review the survey report, surveyor recommendations and any other relevant information and make a decision regarding accreditation. The committee carefully reviews this information and any other relevant documentary evidence before making its decision. 

Duration of Accreditation - The AAPSF awards an organization accreditation for three years when it determines that the facility is in compliance with the standards and there are no reservations about the accuracy of the survey findings or the organization's commitment to continue providing high-quality care and services. For facilities that have been in operation less than six months, the accreditation award may include a contingency for a follow-up visit approximately one year later.

An accredited organization may be resurveyed at any time at the discretion of the AAPSF. No fee shall be charged to the facility when such a resurvey is initiated by the AAPSF. If an accredited organization is resurveyed and is determined to not be in substantial compliance with the standards, its accreditation may be revoked.

Plan of Correction – Should the AAPSF conclude that the organization is NOT IN compliance with the standards, the organization will be granted the opportunity to submit an acceptable Plan of Correction within 14 days. The AAPSF will review the Plan of Correction for the identified deficiencies and determine the compliance. 

Denial of Accreditation - The AAPSF denies accreditation to an organization when it concludes that the organization is NOT IN compliance with the standards and the Plan of Correction does not adequately address the deficiencies. An organization that is not granted accreditation or that has had its accreditation revoked may reapply for resurvey any time following the decision. 

Notification of Decision - The AAPSF notifies an organization of the accreditation decision by email within 30 days of completion of the survey process. If accreditation is approved, an approval letter and associated certificate will be sent by mail to the facility address. 

Accreditation is not transferable when an accredited organization changes ownership or control such as by merger, consolidation, or sale. The AAPSF must be advised in writing within 30 days of any such change. The facility must submit a new Application for Survey with the required fee within 21 days of notification by the AAPSF. Failure to comply with these provisions may result in the loss of accreditation. If an accredited facility closes completely or drastically alters its pattern of practice, then the Certificate of Accreditation issued by AAPSF must be returned within 30 days. 

AAPSF accredited organizations are encouraged to publicly display the Certificate of Accreditation provided by AAPSF. The certificate and all copies thereof remain the property of AAPSF and must be returned if the organization is issued a new certificate reflecting a change in name or services for which it is accredited, if it loses its accreditation for any cause, or if it closes and ceases operation.

Results of the AAPSF conducted accreditation survey are based upon the facility compliance assessment on the day of survey. The facility was found to be compliant, but we make no guarantees or assurances that the facility remains compliant beyond the survey date, nor does AAPSF assume any responsibility for patient outcomes.