Accreditation distinguishes Shenandoah Valley Gastroenterology from many other outpatient facilities through its adherence to rigorous standards of care and safety.
Press Releases
Shenandoah Valley Gastroenterology Center, PLLC, of Harrisonburg, Virginia, Achieves AAAHC Accreditation
As published in the Daily News Record on September 22, 2021
May 14, 2021
HARRISONBURG VIRGINIA, May 14, 2021 — The new center of Shenandoah Valley Gastroenterology, PLLC has been accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).
Accreditation distinguishes this gastrointestinal endoscopy center for colonoscopies and upper endoscopies) from many other outpatient facilities through its adherence to rigorous standards of care and safety.
The new center of Shenandoah Valley Gastroenterology, PLLC has been accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Accreditation distinguishes this gastrointestinal endoscopy center (a center for colonoscopies and upper endoscopies) from many other outpatient facilities through its adherence to rigorous standards of care and safety.
1095 Strong is a transformational movement and call-to-action spearheaded by the AAAHC to equip ambulatory leaders with the best of what they need to operationalize quality practices. The three-year, or 1,095-day, period between accreditations is a critical time when ambulatory health organizations, with help from proven experts, can develop the kind of everyday habits that enable leaders in the industry to provide the utmost in quality care to their patients. Organizations, such as Shenandoah Valley Gastroenterology Center, PLLC, that earn AAAHC accreditation embody the spirit of 1095 Strong, quality every day, an ongoing commitment to high-quality care and patient safety.
While the onsite survey is an important component of the process, ongoing compliance and continuous improvement are part of the accreditation maintenance mindset that a facility should integrate into its daily activities long after the survey has been completed. The intent of accreditation is for organizations to adopt policies and procedures that fuel ongoing quality improvement and self-evaluation every day.
Improving digestive health, every day, one patient at a time
Ambulatory health care organizations seeking AAAHC accreditation undergo an extensive self assessment and onsite survey by AAAHC expert surveyors – physicians, nurses, and administrators who are actively involved in ambulatory care. The survey is peer-based and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization improve its care and services.
Improving healthcare quality through accreditation
Shenandoah Valley Gastroenterology Center PLLC was founded in 2011. It serves Augusta, Rockingham, and adjoining counties.
3320 Emmaus Road
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
(540) 437-0087
About AAAHC
Founded in 1979, AAAHC is the leader in ambulatory health care accreditation, with more than 6,100 organizations accredited. We accredit a wide range of outpatient settings, including ambulatory surgery centers, office-based surgery facilities, endoscopy centers, student health centers, medical and dental group practices, community health centers, employer-based health clinics, retail clinics, and Indian/Tribal health centers, among others.
AAAHC advocates for the provision of high-quality health care through the development and adoption of nationally recognized standards. We provide a valuable survey experience founded on a peer-based, educational approach to onsite review. The AAAHC Certificate of Accreditation, along with specialized programs including Advanced Orthopaedic Certification and Medical Home Certification, demonstrates an organization’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality services to its patients—every day of the 1,095-day accreditation cycle. AAAHC Accreditation and Certification Programs are recognized by third-party payers, medical professional associations, liability insurance companies, state and federal agencies, and the public. For more information on AAAHC, please visit www.aaahc.org.
February 22, 2018
Shenandoah Valley Gastroenterology Center, PLLC Newest Collaborator in National Quality Improvement Registry "GIQuIC" Measures Quality of Endoscopy Services
HARRISONBURG VIRGINIA, February 22, 2018 — Shenandoah Valley Gastroenterology Center, PLLC announced that they have joined a national data registry to track and document the quality of colonoscopy, a medical examination of the digestive tract. The new quality initiative, the Gastrointestinal Quality Improvement Consortium, Ltd., or GIQuIC, is a non-profit collaboration whose objective is to provide reliable and relevant measures of endoscopic quality that give physicians meaningful information they can use to improve patient care.
GIQuIC provides valid comparative information about the quality of endoscopic services, such as colonoscopy, at Shenandoah Valley Gastroenterology Center, PLLC to support their quality improvement priorities. Physicians there can track and compare their endoscopic performance to determine how it measures up to expert standards.
Using GIQuIC, physicians from Shenandoah Valley Gastroenterology Center, PLLC can grade their endoscopic performance and compare it to their peers on a local, regional or national scale. The program documents the quality of care provided during a colonoscopy by tracking how well the physician does in terms of seeing the entire colon, finding growths or polyps, and in the rare instance, reporting any complications.
"We are committed to tracking, measuring and reporting our quality because we believe benchmarking will improve the quality of our endoscopic exams and ultimately improve patient outcomes," said Marie Dellon, MPA of Shenandoah Valley Gastroenterology Center, PLLC. "Contributing patient data to GIQuIC is just one way our practice strives to put patients first. GIQuIC is a measurable way we can demonstrate our care for patient health and safety," she added.
GIQuIC is non-profit partnership established by two national medical groups, the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).
The initial objective will be to develop measures for quality in colonoscopy, with additional measures added at a later date. GIQuIC, in partnership with Outcome Sciences®, operates the national GI endoscopy data repository.
Outcome Sciences brings its extensive experience and broad expertise in outcomes studies to power GIQuIC in its mission to establish recognized standards for high quality GI endoscopic procedures and other key GI conditions and provide benchmarking reports for gastroenterologists. Founded in 1998, Cambridge, Mass.-based Outcome Sciences is a leader in developing registries and conducting research and quality improvement initiatives.
About GIQuIC — GIQuIC collects essential data following evidence-based quality indicators and key performance metrics derived from a joint report by ACG and ASGE entitled, "Quality Indicators for Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Procedures." The program documents the quality of care provided by tracking how well the physician does in terms of seeing the entire colon, finding growths or polyps, and in the rare instance, reporting any complications, among numerous other quality indicators. For additional information about GIQuIC visit www.giquic.org.
2014
Javier Pou, MD is recognized as a physician dedicated to pursuing education in endoscopy and furthering his ability to provide the most effective patient care.
www.giejournal.org — The ASGE Education Achievement Program (EAP) is designed to recognize and reward physicians who are dedicated to pursuing education in ednoscopy and furthering their ability to provide the most effective patient care. These physicians have completed extensive endoscopy-related education, including demonstration of skills training, inscreased scientific knowledge and reflection on learning. ASGE congratulates the current EAP recipients.
January 3, 2013
Javier Pou, MD recognized by leading gastrointestinal medical society for education achievement
STAUNTON, VA – January 3, 2013 – Shenandoah Valley Gastroenterology has two locations, Waynesboro and Harrisonburg. Dr. Pou is a diplomate of the American Society of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. He did his undergraduate studies at Bridgewater College of Virginia where he fell in love with the community of the Shenandoah Valley. Dr. Pou served as one of the first Hospitalists at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in 2003. He was also involved in the development of the gastroenterology service at Augusta Health in 2009 while setting a reputation for quality and excellence. In the past he has been recognized by the American College of Physician and American Society of Internal Medicine and presented in local and national scientific meetings. Dr. Pou's multifaceted background and familiarity with the Shenandoah Valley continues to shape his individualized approach to patient care in private practice.
"Javier Pou, MD recognized by leading gastrointestinal medical society for education achievement." newsleader.com. Gannett. 3 January 2013. Web.
November 19, 2012
Javier A. Pou, MD
recognized by leading gastrointestinal medical society
for education achievement
OAK BROOK, IL – November 19, 2012 – The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), a leading gastrointestinal medical society, has recognized Javier A. Pou, MD as part of its program to recognize and reward ASGE members who are dedicated to improving their clinical and professional practice in endoscopy. The ASGE Education Achievement Program is designed to acknowledge physicians who are dedicated to pursuing education in endoscopy and improving their ability to provide the most effective care for their patients.
"Dr. Pou is an asset to our community. We are proud of his commitment to continuing his medical education in order to provide the best care possible for patients. His efforts are recognized by the ASGE," says Amy Burkhardt, proprietor of Blue Sky eSolutions, a marketing firm in Harrisonburg.
"Continuing Medical Education (CME) shouldn't just be about the number of credits. ASGE wants to acknowledge those physicians who are demonstrating a commitment to improving their own practice and patient care," said Amitabh Chak, MD, FASGE, chair of the ASGE CME Programs Committee. "This program offers participants an opportunity to evaluate their education, assess how it has impacted their practice and identify future needs."
Shenandoah Valley Gastroenterology has two locations, Waynesboro - 540-946-1662 and Harrisonburg - 540-437-0087. Dr. Pou is a diplomate of the American Society of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. He did his undergraduate studies at Bridgewater College of Virginia where he fell in love with the community of the Shenandoah Valley. Dr. Pou served as one of the first Hospitalists at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in 2003. He was also involved in the development of the gastroenterology service at Augusta Health in 2009 while setting a reputation for quality and excellence. In the past he has been recognized by the American College of Physician and American Society of Internal Medicine, and presented in local and national scientific meetings. Dr. Pou's multifaceted background and familiarity with the Shenandoah Valley continues to shape his individualized approach to patient care in private practice.
About Endoscopy
Endoscopy is performed by specially-trained physicians called endoscopists using the most current technology to diagnose and treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Using flexible, thin tubes called endoscopes, endoscopists are able to access the human digestive tract without incisions via natural orifices. Endoscopes are designed with high-intensity lighting and fitted with precision devices that allow viewing and treatment of the gastrointestinal system.
Colon Cancer: Have you been screened?
If you are 50 or over or have a family history of colon cancer, you should be screened. African-Americans should be screened beginning at age 45. Colon cancer is one of the most preventable -- and curable -- types of cancer when detected early. Since the risk of colon cancer increases with age, getting screened is essential.
Advances in endoscopy and colonoscopy have reduced patient discomfort and promote preventative healthcare. Contact us today to schedule your procedure. We have appointments available through the end of the year.
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE)
1520 Kensington Road
Suite 202
Oak Brook, IL 60523
Bob Corso of WHSV TV3 Interviews Dr. Pou about colonscopy advice
A change to address the unknown — 6 GIs react to U.S. Preventive Services Task Force's recommendation to lower CRC screening age to 45
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force proposed lowering the colorectal cancer screening age to 45 in response to growing early-onset CRC rates. In the news article linked below, six gastroenterologists discuss how the change will affect their practice.
Shenandoah Valley Gastroenterology was the first GI practice to validate the changes in screening colonoscopy to age 45 as seen in an interview of Dr. Pou on WHSV.
Watch Dr. Pou Interview on WHSV Reaction from 6 Gastroenterology PracticesMake an Appointment for a Screening
Do you know how to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer? The risk of getting colorectal cancer increases with age. Colorectal cancer screening saves lives, but many people are not being screened. The first step is yours … contact our office to make an appointment.
