Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services question

[JPINFV]

I'm just wondering since I've seen a few companies accreditated through them, but I've never really had any information [never really wondered till now anyways]. The website has some information, but also contains the normal fluff needed to sell a service, so:

For the people who have experience with CAAS:

Have you noticed any differences between CAAS accrediated services and non-accrediated services that could be, in part, due to CAAS accrediation?

Would CAAS accrediation be a factor in choosing between ambulance companies to work for?

Do you believe that accrediation, especially since it is currently voluntary, helps build better companies, or does it seem to be more of a merit badge for companies that would essentially already meet CAAS standards.

For everyone:

Since ambulance companies are already, for better or worse, regulated by the individual states, are programs like CAAS important?

Should a program like CAAS be a requirment for federal funding (including, but not limited to, Medicare) similar to what JACHO is for hospitals?

[spenac]

Have not had any dealings with them.

[EMS49393]

Presently, I'm employed by a company that has CAAS accreditation. Honestly, I never worked any place that had this CAAS thing before, so in that respect I know very little about it. I will say that it's a very big deal here, complete with wearing the CAAS lapel pin on the dress uniform. This company is very proud of this accreditation, and is the only service in the area that is accredited.

Sorry I couldn't be more help. I will do some talking at work and try to find out exactly what this CAAS situation is all about.