U.VA.'S STUDENT HEALTH DEPARTMENT GAINS 
OUTSTANDING RATING, RECEIVES NATIONAL ACCREDITATION

	CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., April 16 -- The University of
Virginia's Department of Student Health has become one of 22 student
health centers in the nation to gain accreditation through the Joint
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.  The Joint
Commission rated the quality of patient care in the U.Va. department
as outstanding.
	Following an on-site survey in December 1995, the Joint
Commission gave the student health department outstanding ratings in
several other areas including teaching, research, educational
activities and rights and responsibilities of patients.  Also cited
as outstanding were life safety management, leadership and scope of
quality improvement and medical record systems.
	"In becoming accredited, the U.Va. Department of Student
Health was evaluated against a set of national standards by a team
experienced in the delivery of ambulatory health care services,"
said Anne Flanagan, director, Network and Ambulatory Care
Accreditation Services, Joint Commission.  "Achieving accreditation
demonstrates the department's commitment to providing high quality
care to its patients."
	Preparing for the accreditation team's visit took
approximately two-and-a-half years, according to James C. Turner,
M.D., director of student health.  The process involved creating a
comprehensive quality improvement plan that established new policies
and procedures in such areas as care-provider credentialing and
peer-review processes, starting a student advisory board and
soliciting patient satisfaction responses.
	In surveys conducted over the past 18 months students using
the department's general medicine, gynecology, mental health and
health promotion services have consistently rated customer service
and quality of care in the 90-95th percentile, Dr. Turner said.  
	"Receiving the Joint Commission's highest rating for quality
of care is a powerful reaffirmation of the excellent health care
provided by our staff.  We knew we were doing very well, but meeting
national standards of excellence is an important way to document
that we do, in fact, provide outstanding care," Dr. Turner said. 
	The accreditation team gave the department some
recommendations for improving services.  Among those are enlarging
the McCue Center clinic space to offer more examination rooms for
athletes receiving medical care and enlarging the pharmacy space to
enhance privacy for students receiving instruction.
	"We are exploring use of the planned orthopedic clinic in
the McCue Center renovations, and we will include renovation of the
pharmacy in future building plans," Dr. Turner said.
	U.Va.'s student health department serves about 42,000
patients a year. In addition to medical services, the department
offers students health promotion and educational services, such as
stress management workshops, the Wellness Fair and Healthy Body Week.
	Formed in 1951, the Joint Commission is dedicated to
improving the quality of the nation's health care through voluntary
accreditation.
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April 15, 1996
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