Same-Day Surgery – May 1, 2005
May 1, 2005
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In wake of fine for chemical spill at surgery center, are you prepared?
Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, WA, has been fined $45,000 by Washington state for workplace violations related to a formalin spill last summer in the sterile processing area of the outpatient surgery center. The violations included lack of adequate equipment, such as respirators, and inadequate training for employees wiping up the liquid. -
Hazard Communication Program Manual (Excerpt)
The University provides employees with information and training to ensure they are mindful of the hazards of chemicals present in their work area. Awareness Training is made available at New Hire Orientation before the employees initial work assignment begins. -
Three tips for better response to spills
Managers familiar with a chemical spill last year at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, WA, and incidents at other outpatient surgery programs say you can learn from others experiences and be better prepared for a chemical spill at your facility. -
Recent Chemical Spills in Outpatient Surgery
Twelve people were evacuated, and three were treated for eye irritation when acid leaked from cleaning equipment at an operating room in St. Vincents Hospital Melbourne in Fitzroy, Australia. OR staff were setting up for surgery when they noticed that peracetic acid had leaked from sterilization equipment. -
Same-Day Surgery Manager: Surgery managers sing the governing body blues
We have had numerous requests for a column about interacting with the governing body (for ambulatory surgery centers) and board of directors (for the hospital folks). Regardless of what side of the street you live on, the issues are the same. In this column, we will refer to them both as the board. (How ominous!) -
Reduce chaos to see satisfaction scores rise
Patients and their families want to feel comfortable, informed, and respected when they come to your facility for surgery, and your ability to make them feel that way is reflected in your patient satisfaction scores. -
Association touts savings with ASCs
Medicare would save $1.5 billion in 2005 if cases submitted on hospital outpatient department (HOPD) claims were instead submitted on ambulatory surgery center (ASC) claims, according to a new study conducted for the Federated Ambulatory Surgery Association (FASA) by The Moran Company in Arlington, VA. -
PA agrees to allow some lap procedures
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has decided to allow ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) to resume some laparoscopic surgery as long as they seek state approval. -
CMS approves the use of alcohol hand rubs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has published an interim final rule that will allow hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) to use alcohol-based hand-rub dispensers under specific conditions. Previously, officials had expressed concerns that the hand rubs could accelerate a fire.