Accreditation to be required for office surgeryAccreditation to be required for office surgery

Alexandria, Va. -- The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) announced that as of January 1, 2007, surgeons seeking initial certification by ABFPRS will need to operate an accredited facility when performing procedures using level II or greater anesthesia. Documentation of accreditation by Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), or a similar accrediting organization will be required.

To qualify for certification, surgeons must have completed an approved residency in otolaryngology/head-and-neck surgery or plastic surgery; have earned prior certification in one of those specialties through the American Board of Medical Specialties or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Canada; have successfully completed a two-day examination; submit for peer review an acceptable two-year record of clinical experience documenting a minimum of 100 facial plastic surgeries; and provide documentation of proper licensure and subscription to the ABSPRS Code of Ethics.