Frequently Asked Questions | ACRI | Birmingham, AL

4 board-certified surgeons.

The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF) has been accrediting surgery facilities since 1980. Our primary goal is to promote the highest quality patient safety in the ambulatory (office-based or outpatient) surgery setting. Accreditation represents a high level of attention to the details that make a surgery facility safer.

AAAASF has developed stringent, nationally recognized standards that are continuously reviewed and revised as new developments in outpatient surgery occur. Patient safety is never compromised when standards are amended.

AAAASF requires 100% compliance with all accreditation standards and does not offer partial accreditation. If a facility fails to meet any standard, they must correct the deficiency or risk denial or loss of accreditation.

AAAASF Facility Inspectors are board certified medical specialists trained to perform a thorough and complete facility inspection. AAAASF Facility Inspectors follow a regimented procedure to inspect an outpatient surgery facility in the following nine categories:

• General Environment
• Operating Room Environment, Policy & Procedures
• Recovery Room Environment, Policy & Procedures
• General Safety in the Facility
• Blood and Medications
• Medical Records
• Quality Assessment/Quality Improvement
• Personnel
• Anesthesia

To earn AAAASF accreditation, this facility has complied with 100% of the standards in the ten categories of AAAASF accreditation.

This accredited facility has volunteered to comply with the most stringent set of outpatient surgery standards available in the nation. It has met our strict requirements for facility director, medical specialist certification, staff credentials and has passed a thorough inspection by a qualified AAAASF Facility Inspector.

Ask to see the facility’s valid accreditation certificate. Each accredited facility must be re-evaluated every year and must comply with all AAAASF accreditation standards. Upon approval, a new accreditation certificate is awarded and must be prominently displayed.

This AAAASF Accredited Facility is fully equipped to perform procedures in the medical specialty or specialties listed on their accreditation certificate.

AAAASF accreditation is considered the “Gold Standard” for outpatient surgery facilities. For more information on AAAASF standards visit www.aaaasf.org.

Located within 2 blocks of Regions Field, the current location has been a colon and rectal clinic since 1972. The Institute was founded in 1990 and the current facility is a result of multiple renovations and additions.

A surgeon is trained in both medical and surgical treatment of diseases related to the colon, rectum and anus. A gastroenterologist is trained in medical treatment of the gastrointestinal tract.

Examination of the full length of the colon and rectum using a flexible tubular instrument pain free using IV sedation.

All men and women need a screening colonoscopy at age 45. Screening means you have no symptoms such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, change in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss or anemia. People with risk factors such as a family history of colorectal cancer should be checked at 40 and sometimes sooner. If your first colonoscopy is normal without risk factors, a colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years. If you have risk factors including a personal history of colon polyps, more frequent colonoscopies are recommended. People with symptoms might need to be checked before the typical screening guidelines.

Most colonoscopies and outpatient anorectal operations are done in less than 30 minutes. For outpatient procedures, you arrive about 30 minutes before your procedure and your discharged about 30 minutes after a colonoscopy and 45 minutes after an anorectal operation. Inpatient abdominal operations typically last 1.5-3 hours.

It varies for different procedures and patient medical conditions, but typically 1 plain Fleet enema is highly recommended before office examination of the rectum. For colonoscopies, anorectal operations and colon surgery, a more complete clean out is needed. We rarely utilize the infamous gallon prep.

We accept nearly all current plans, but call to confirm. We also accept credit cards.

A driver's license, insurance cards and a list of all current medicines and doses (best to bring all medicine containers in a bag). It will speed up your visit if pertinent records of any tests related to your condition are brought (if applicable). If not, they might have to be faxed to us before a decision about your care can be made.

No, unless you have one of the few insurance plans that require one. You may simply call our office and make an appointment. Our receptionist can tell you if your insurance plan requires a referral.

To learn more about the following conditions, click here.

• Anal Abscess/Fistula
• Anal Cancer
• Anal Fissure
• Anal Warts
• Bowel Incontinence
• Colonoscopy
• Colorectal Cancer
• Constipation
• Crohn’s Disease
• Diverticular Disease
• Fecal Incontinence
• Hemorrhoids
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Laparoscopic Surgery
• Ostomy
• Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
• Pilonidal Disease
• Pruritus Ani
• Rectal Cancer
• Rectal Prolapse
• Rectocele
• Screening for Cancer
• Ulcerative Colitis