Cosmetic Surgicentre Receives 3 Year Accreditation
There was no Canadian accreditation for private ambulatory surgical facilities fifteen years ago when Toronto’s Cosmetic Surgicentre was conceived and built. With the help of the AAAAPSF (American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Plastic Surgery Facilities) and a Canadian architect, Dr. Robert H. Stubbs established Toronto’s first truly cosmetic ambulatory surgical facility.
Similar to the American experience, ambulatory surgery has become the most popular option for an elective procedure. Outpatient or ambulatory surgery is safe, private and cost effective. As such, it lends itself perfectly to cosmetic surgery.
Unfortunately quality control, which is strictly adhered to in public hospitals was difficult to regulate in Canadian outpatient units. Uncertified surgeons (such as family doctors, dermatologists and anesthetists) and those unable to perform specific procedures at the hospital where they held admitting privileges (such as ENT surgeons who wish to do breast and body contour surgery) opened ambulatory centres in record numbers.
The Canadian Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (CAAASF) is a national organization that was recently formed to ensure that surgical procedures done outside a public hospital are performed safely and carefully. Protecting the public from unqualified surgeons is an important CAAASF goal. But CAAASF accreditation also means that the facility has been inspected and that the unit, the surgeon, the staff, the equipment, the emergency protocol and the record keeping all meet or exceed the current standard.
Cosmetic Surgicentre is now one of a limited number of Canadian private facilities that has accreditation. It was recently awarded this honor for a three-year period. If you are considering having cosmetic surgery in a private office, make sure that the unit has CAAASF accreditation.
