CHERRY HILL, NJ, July 11, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- As a board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon and a South Jersey "Top Doc" in Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Susan Hughes (www.drnewyou.com) makes safety a top priority. But it's not just for her own face lift patients in New Jersey; Dr. Hughes also promotes safe healthcare through her position as a surveyor for the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).
"I'm proud of my position as an AAAHC surveyor, because I believe it reflects my commitment to safety within my own practice and because I think the organization plays a great role in furthering patient safety," says Dr. Hughes. "There are so many factors that contribute to the success of cosmetic surgery - such as choice of procedure, surgeon skill, and proper recovery - but safety is definitely among the most important."
The AAAHC is a non-profit organization that develops standards for patient safety and provides accreditation for facilities that meet or exceed these standards. The voluntary accreditation process involves self-review and review by a qualified AAAHC surveyor such as Dr. Hughes. In addition to accreditation, the AAAHC provides education about and research into advancing safety within the ambulatory healthcare environment.
"To become an AAAHC surveyor, I went through a rigorous application process, was screened by the Surveyor Training and Education Committee and was approved by the Board of Directors. I was then thoroughly trained by the AAAHC. Ongoing continuing education (such as a bi-annual refresher training course) is mandatory, so I stay up-to-date on the latest standards and survey procedures related to safe health care," Dr. Hughes explains.
The operating room at the Hughes Center for Aesthetic Medicine is certified by the AAAHC. It is also fully-equipped with the latest technology, allowing Dr. Hughes to use advanced techniques for facial cosmetic surgery procedures such as endoscopic brow lift surgery, eyelid surgery, and face lift surgery near Philadelphia. Dr. Hughes doesn't just perform surgical procedures; she offers many medical spa services for women and men who aren't ready to step into the OR (such as BOTOX Cosmetic, dermal fillers, and laser skin resurfacing).
"I believe that my position as a surveyor for the AAAHC has actually contributed to the safety I provide my patients," says Dr. Hughes. "In order to assess whether or not others meet safety standards, I have gained a more complete understanding of how my own facility should be equipped. I really can't overemphasize how uncompromising our commitment to safety should be. That goes for general surgery or cosmetic surgery procedures such as eyelid surgery in New Jersey. No matter what the purpose of the procedure, it is always very important that it be performed safely and accurately."
Susan M. Hughes, MD, FACS (www.drnewyou.com) is board-certified in facial cosmetic surgery and ophthalmology. Harvard trained, she is one of the premier facial cosmetic surgeons in New Jersey. She has been selected by her peers as a Philadelphia "Top Doc" in eyelid surgery and facial cosmetic surgery, as well as a South Jersey "Top Doc" in Plastic Surgery. Her other appointments include: Fellow of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Board of Trustees American Society of Cosmetic Surgery, Secretary of American Society of Cosmetic Surgery, Board of Directors Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), and AAAHC Surveyor.
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