UnityPoint Health - Trinity Ambulance Services Receives Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services

UnityPoint Health – Trinity Regional Medical Center’s Ambulance Service in Fort Dodge has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) for its compliance with national standards of excellence. Trinity Ambulance Service is one of only 175 ambulance services in the country to successfully complete the voluntary review process which included completion of a comprehensive application and on-site review by national experts in emergency medical services (EMS). With this achievement, Trinity Ambulance Service becomes the fourth ambulance service to be accredited in the state of Iowa.

The Commission is a non-profit organization which was established to encourage and promote quality patient care in America’s medical transportation system. The primary focus of the Commission’s standards is high-quality patient care. This is accomplished by establishing national standards which not only address the delivery of patient care, but also the ambulance service’s total operation and its relationships with other agencies, the general public, and the medical community. The Commission’s standards often exceed state or local licensing requirements.

“We are extremely proud of our Emergency Team for the work they have done to accomplish this high standard for our ambulance service,” states Mike Dewerff, UnityPoint Health – Fort Dodge President and CEO. “This accreditation represents our firm commitment to our patients and community and provides reassurance they are receiving the highest quality of care possible when they call for our ambulance crew. We continuously strive to do our best and we viewed accreditation as another step toward excellence.”

CAAS accreditation signifies that Trinity has met the "gold standard" determined by the ambulance industry to be essential in a modern emergency medical services provider. The process of accreditation includes a comprehensive self-assessment and an independent external review of Trinity Ambulance Services. This independent process provides verification to our residents, city councils, medical community and others that quality emergency medical care is provided by Trinity to the community.

“Our staff has been key to our successful completion of the process. I think it gives the feeling of prestige and pride to work in an accredited ambulance service,” said Dr. Dan Cole, Medical Director of Trinity Emergency Services. “Everyone here played a valuable role in our ability to meet the Commission’s high standards. We have achieved accreditation but I believe it can only be a stimulus for continued improvement.”

###