How to Choose an Accredited Plastic Surgery Facility
You may already realize that choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon (such a Joshua A. Greenwald) is an important factor in obtaining safe cosmetic surgery treatment and attractive results. However, some people may not realize how important it is to make sure that the plastic surgeon’s operating facility is accredited by an authorized organization. Finding an accredited plastic surgery facility is not difficult if you know what to look for. Here are some guidelines to help you.
How to Find an Accredited Plastic Surgery Facility
Plastic surgeons are authorized to operate in hospital operating rooms or independent surgical centers. When choosing a plastic surgeon to perform your cosmetic procedure, make sure that the plastic surgeon’s operating room or surgical facility is accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAASF), the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) or Medicare, to name a few. Being accredited by one of these organizations establishes that the operating facility has met certain guidelines in regard to cleanliness, licensing, certification, equipment and staffing, among other criteria.
If your plastic surgeon operates in a hospital, you should determine which hospitals your prospective plastic surgeon is affiliated with. When a plastic surgeon has hospital privileges, it signifies that the hospital review board has reviewed and approved the surgeon’s qualifications and experience. One note of caution: Make sure that your plastic surgeon has hospital privileges for the specific procedure that you are pursuing. For instance, if you are undergoing breast augmentation surgery, verify that your plastic surgeon has breast augmentation privileges at an accredited operating facility, not dermatology or obstetrics privileges.
Ask the Right Questions
The best way to ensure that your plastic surgeon is well-qualified and operates in an accredited facility is to ask him (or her) the proper questions. You may have several questions to ask, but be sure to include the following:
- Do you operate in a hospital or in an independent surgical center?
- Is the operating room located in an accredited facility, whether it is a hospital or surgical center? Which organization granted the accreditation?
- Do you have hospital privileges? If so, what are the procedures that you are approved to perform, and at which hospitals do you have privileges for these specific procedures?
- May I see before-and-after photos of your past patients?
- May I review your patient testimonials?
By doing some preliminary research about prospective plastic surgeons and their operating facility, and asking the proper questions, you can ensure that you are getting safe, reliable plastic surgery care.
To schedule a personal consultation or to learn more about surgical center accreditation, please contact the practice of Dr. Joshua Greenwald by calling (914) 421-0113 today.
Dr. Joshua Greenwald is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City who studied and trained at prestigious educational institutions including Columbia University, Emory University, and New York University School of Medicine. His keen aesthetic eye and refined surgical techniques have led him to be a top choice for cosmetic face, breast, and body procedures in NYC. His exceptional patient care has earned him the distinction of “Top Doc” by both Westchester Magazine and Castle & Connolly for over 10 years running. Dr. Greenwald is an active member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Medical Association, and the Westchester County Medical Society.