The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that updates payment policies and payment rates for services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries in ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) beginning January 1, 2012.
In addition to establishing payment rates for calendar year (CY) 2012, the final rule creates a new quality reporting program for ASCs. the provisions for which affect payments to ASCs. It adopts five quality measures and adds two structural measures, one of these two is that of safe surgery checklist use.
This is not that much of an arduous task. There are helpful resources that negate each of us having to re-invent the wheel. Also, logic and reason tell us that the checklist-concept could prove a welcomed portion of ASC life.
To benefit you and others of your ASCs, take a look at this VIDEO of a surgical team as it practices with a checklist. Here, Atul Gawande*and his team demonstrate how to properly use the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist. Just click on the VIDEO link below the picture.
*
Atul Gawande is a MacArthur Fellow, a general surgeon at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, a staff writer for The New Yorker, author of several books, and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health. He lives with his wife and three children in Newton, Massachusetts.
UPDATES and ADDITIONS
To The September 30, 2011 FALL Conference
(1) Disaster Preparedness
Some of you have contacted the ISDH' Preparedness and Planning Director Joe Shelton asking how to access the Survey, that he mentioned, for ASCs to complete.
The Survey is not yet available to the IFASC, or ASCs, until Joe receives approval for the FY10 Carryover Funds and a contract is signed with IFASC. This will likely take time.
As soon as this is accomplished, we will contact all ASCs and let you know how to access the Survey. Be patient, it should go very smoothly once everything is all set. Thanks for your enthusiasm.
(2) CEUs
If you completed and handed-in an evaluation form with your name and mailing or email address and have not received your certificate by the end of this month, contact Mary Anne Koehler.
(3) H. Joseph Cohen, JD
Joe's presentation on the electronic-world aspects of HR, made use of a video. He has provided IFASC with "Social Media Revolution". It is now installed here on our IFASC web site for your viewing and benefit.
(4) Randy Snyder
ISDH Director, Acute Care Services, Snyder referenced, in his afternoon program, a book to assist Project Leaders in guiding a project with Lean Sigma. "Lean Sigma: A Practitioner's Guide" by Dr. Ian Wedgwood.
To focus your attention and aid analysis, Randy took time to select these extractions from the "...Practitioner's Guide" intro.
Also included is a separate link to this Ian Wedgwood book on Amazon.com.
As mentioned in August 16th's IFASC internet publication, IFASC CONNECTION, the Advisory Letter (AL) is installed on this IFASC web site, simply click on this particular linked AL.
2010 AIA Guidelines specify the following for Operating Rooms:
Class A operating rooms (minor surgical procedure rooms) = minimum of 120 square feet.
Class B operating rooms = minimum clear area of 250 square feet.
Class C operating rooms = minimum clear area of 400 square feet.
There are several other issues to consider regarding the classification of operating rooms. The complete Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospital and Health Care Facilities, 2001 edition can be obtained from the AIA by calling 1-800-365-2724.
Accreditation Status on Information Sheet Sent to All ASCs
Posted October 20, 2005
IFASC Executive Director Carol Blanar recently contacted Tom Reed, Public Health
Administrator, regarding the information sheet sent
to ASCs for review. This sheet erroneously lists some accredited ASCs as not being accredited.
Mr. Reed responded by saying, "We requested and still need a copy of the Letter or Certificate
from the Accreditation Organization." He also said that a facility can fax a copy of the letter
to the state at 317/233-7157. Once the information is received, it "will appear in
the individual consumer report two weeks after data entry." Mr. Reed concluded his
response by saying that they have received many letters from accreditation
organizations.
In January 2006, the Indiana State Dept. of Health will have an ASC Consumer Report Available on their web site (www.statehealth.IN.gov) It will mirror the hospital Consumer Rept currently available. The serious events reported by the ASC will be listed on this report along with deficiencies noted at time of survey.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will publish this week an interim-final regulation that restores to the ASC procedures list 95 of the 100 services that were proposed for deletion late last year.
Procedure Manual Available for Training Ambulatory Surgery Center Staff for Malignant Hyperthermia Crisis
May 9, 2005
(Sherburne, NY) — The Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS) has announced the availability of its Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) Procedure Manual for the Ambulatory Surgery Center. The manual organizes and prepares the ASC staff with the latest treatment methods for an MH crisis.
MH is a metabolic crisis precipitated by triggering general anesthetics in susceptible individuals. Because MH can result in morbidity and mortality, minutes count in its management.
"By having a plan for coordinated emergency response to the malignant hyperthermia crisis, the time from diagnosis to control of the syndrome is significantly shortened," says Henry Rosenberg, MD, the president of MHAUS. In dealing with MH every minute counts in reducing the chance of patient injury or death."
That plan is exactly what the procedure manual will accomplish for you and your colleagues in the ASC setting, in order to minimize the risk associated with malignant hyperthermia. The manual:
assigns specific tasks to staff
provides checklists and worksheets
emphasizes frequent mock drills
An instructional video, which enacts the response plan, accompanies the manual, all packaged in a durable, 3-ring binder. The MH Procedure Manual is also available in versions for hospital or office surgical settings.
For more information on the MH procedure manuals, contact MHAUS at (607)674-7901, PO Box 1069, Sherburne NY 13460, or www.mhaus.org.
The Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States has spent more than 20 years saving lives by providing MH educational services. It is dedicated to reducing the morbidity and mortality from MH and improving scientific understanding. Basic services include the MH Hotline, which provides access 24/7 to anesthesiologists specializing in MH-crisis management, a quarterly newsletter with the most recent info on MH, its Web site, www.mhaus.org, a valuable information resource, a treatment poster and other educational tools.
Contact:
Jo Nichols (607) 674-7901
Al Rothstein (866) 636-3342
New MedPAC Reports Analyzes High Volume Medicare Procedures
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) issued two reports, both assembled by RAND, which are of great potential interest to the ambulatory surgery center community. The studies compare patient characteristics for several procedures across various ambulatory settings, cataract surgery, colonoscopy, and MRI of head, neck and brain in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. Click here for ASC Association review.
In May of 2004, the Indiana
State Department of Health sent all Indiana ASCs a copy of "Advance
Directives: Your Right to Decide". In response to this, Carol
Blanar, President of IFASC, contacted Randy Snyder from the IN State
Department of Health and inquired about whether ASCs should hand
a copy of the document to all patients. To see his response, click
here.
State
ASC Associations Report on Priority Issues.
In May, 2004 ASC Association surveyed
state ASC associations to identify the most pressing legislative
and regulatory issues impacting the growth of ASC. Here are the
top issues:
Workers Comp payment reductions
Restrictions on physician ownership
Public reporting of ASC financial information
CON changes that restrict ASC growth
For more information
about a specific state, review the information on state association
websites or contact the leadership of the state association available
at the ASC Association website: http://www.ascassociation.org/state/
ASC Association has placed emphasis
on the development and support of strong state ASC associations
for many years. The state association is the first line of defense
for state level issues. Fortunately many state associations are
well positioned organizationally and are doing a great job representing
the ASC industry as state legislative and regulatory issues arise.
This guide
is intended to provide the ASC community with basic information
about how to influence the government policies that affect our businesses
and our patients.
AHA
Issues New Policy Paper Opposing “Niche Providers”
The American
Hospital Association (AHA) issued a new policy paper during their
meetings on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. that “niche providers”
are “undercutting the ability of community hospitals to continue
to meet the needs of the broader community”. AHA includes
ambulatory surgery centers as a niche provider.
In
a March 11 memorandum to state survey agency directors, CMS
appears to be changing longstanding policy regarding overnight
stays in ambulatory surgery centers. ASC Association Washington Counsel
has been in communication with CMS. CMS understands the questions
we have raised about the statements in their memo that appear
to restrict Medicare certified centers to performing only Medicare
approved procedures. CMS is actively considering the need to
correct the unintended change and we will notify members of
their resolution.
The Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services announced details of its plan to implement
a moratorium on physician investment in and referrals to certain
specialty hospitals. Learn
More
This web site is produced and maintained by the ASC Association in
support of the Indiana Federation of Ambulatory Surgery Centers. The ASC Association makes no claims as to the accuracy and reliability of any information provided.
Of Interest
