HFAP to keep name going forward

HFAP will be keeping its name. The accreditor had originally planned to take the name of the Accreditation Association for Hospitals/Health Systems (AAHHS), which acquired them in 2015 from the American Osteopathic Association (AOA.)

AAHHS is a non-profit organization focused on quality and safety in healthcare and has been acting in a management capacity for existing HFAP accreditation programs since the merger.  According to HFAP media representative Mary Velan, to avoid the alphabet soup of switching from AOA/HFAP to AAHHS/HFAP, they plan to simplify by going forward as “HFAP”. 

"We had considered a name change but HFAP has over 70 years of history behind its accreditation programs and we want our current and future customers to know that the practical, educational approach that is what HFAP delivers remains unchanged," she said. 

Even though the name change is off, HFAP members shouldn’t worry said Velan. The change in plan won’t affect any of the services provided by HFAP or its survey process.

“HFAP continues with its mission of advancing high-quality patient care and safety through objective application of recognized standards,” Velan said in an email.

She also added the accreditor is expanding their specialty care certification programs, including stroke, lithotripsy, wound care, joint arthroplasty, and compounding pharmaceuticals. HFAP is also working on renewing its CMS deeming authority prior to 2019 expiration dates.

This story has been updated to fix inaccuracies.