Document, Assess, Audit: Improving Infection Prevention Procedures

ASCs can improve their infection prevention processes is by keeping their policies and procedures aligned with standards, regulations, and nationally recognized guidelines. Experts explain several additional steps centers could take to improve their overall infection prevention program.

Thanks to High-Deductible Plans, ASCs Must View Patient as Payer

Interested in what the rise in patient deductibles means for surgery centers’ bottom line? Read on.

ASCs Can Improve Reporting Culture

Recently, The Joint Commission issued four basic steps that healthcare organizations can take, starting with establishing trust.

Prescribers Have Contributed to Opioid Epidemic but Can Help Stop It

Ohio's opioid prescribing initiative could serve as a blueprint for others looking to give doctors information about the dangers of opioid addiction, overdoses, and over-prescribing.

It Is the Little Things That Go a Long Way

These small gestures can enhance and promote great customer service and set your organization apart from others.

Medicare’s Online Procedure Price Lookup Tool Could Be Useful for Patients

ASC patients with Medicare coverage now can use a simple tool to compare total costs and what they will pay for procedures and surgeries in ASCs and hospital outpatient departments.

The Joint Commission Focuses on Preventing Workplace Violence

Healthcare workers, especially nurses, are at a high risk of violence, largely at the hands of patients. Research shows that healthcare workers are at greater risk from violence than almost every other worker, and the problem is on the rise. Recognizing the risk, healthcare organizations are developing and sharing resources to help mitigate workplace violence.

Management, Workplace Culture Key Elements of Violence Prevention

There are no federal standards or regulations for workplace violence prevention; everything is advisory, but there are some key elements to prevention and actions healthcare organizations can take.

Two Recent Infection Breaches Highlight Danger of Complacency

Surgery centers should refocus on infection prevention efforts in light of recent reports of breaches involving HIV, hepatitis, and the potentially fatal carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). These problems point to the need for ambulatory surgery centers to follow the highest level of infection prevention standards and guidelines.

Every Violence Prevention Program Starts With Reporting and Data Collection

One barrier to preventing workplace violence is an organization’s failure to close the loop with healthcare workers by giving those employees information about what happened once they reported an incident.