Oklahoma’s largest provider of pre-hospital emergency medical care, EMSA, has achieved national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) with a perfect score. This accolade distinguishes EMSA as part of the elite 1% of EMS agencies across the United States to earn such recognition.
The CAAS accreditation is regarded as the gold standard in the emergency medical services industry. It follows a thorough evaluation based on over 300 standards assessing various aspects, including administration, safety, dispatch operations, clinical protocols, and continuing education.
Johna Easley, EMSA’s president and CEO, expressed pride in the organization’s accomplishment. “Earning CAAS accreditation is an incredible achievement, reflecting the skill, professionalism, and dedication of our entire organization,” Easley stated. “A perfect score demonstrates our unwavering commitment to setting the highest standards in patient care, quality, and continuous improvement across every aspect of our service.”
As of now, EMSA is one of only two ambulance services in Oklahoma with CAAS accreditation. Nationwide, only 215 agencies meet the rigorous standards set by the commission, making EMSA’s perfect score even more remarkable.
Tammy Powell, chairperson of the EMSA Board of Trustees and president of St. Anthony Hospital, emphasized the significance of this accolade. “CAAS accreditation is the most respected benchmark in the EMS industry,” Powell said. “Earning a top score in such a rigorous independent evaluation of all areas of EMSA’s operation reinforces that our communities can trust they are receiving excellent EMS care every time EMSA responds.”
EMSA has maintained its CAAS accreditation since 2010 and undergoes a re-evaluation every three years to ensure compliance with the latest standards. This process not only underscores the organization’s commitment to excellence but also highlights its dedication to adapting and improving in the ever-evolving landscape of emergency medical services.
The perfect score achieved by EMSA marks a significant milestone for the organization and the communities it serves, showcasing its relentless pursuit of quality in emergency medical care.
