Same-Day Surgery – July 1, 2007
July 1, 2007
View Issues
Researcher says surgery centers are 'pushing the envelope'
"We know about 1 in 200 patients get admitted to hospital following outpatient surgery, but that rate can easily vary. Outpatient surgery centers are going to continue pushing the envelope, and it is imperative that patients and physicians take control back.Follow tips to avoid unplanned admissions
In a study recently published in The Archives of Surgery, researchers developed an outpatient surgery admission index from independent predictors of immediate hospital admission using the following point values:Spine procedures move to outpatient setting
When Robert Bray, MD, was asked by a colleague opening a surgery center to move some of his spine procedures to his outpatient center eight years ago, Bray was willing to try a few simple procedures such as microdiscectomies.Guest Column: My personal experience with spinal surgery
Even though I'm a perioperative nurse, my anticipation and anxiety grew last May as I walked into the DISC (Diagnostic & Interventional Spinal Care) in Marina del Rey, CA, for a posterior stabilization with instrumentation procedure of my lower back (L4-5).Use your time to manage the program, not the payroll
Versatility, flexibility, and the ability to juggle many different responsibilities at once are included the basic job description of any outpatient surgery program manager.Take these steps to choose best HR firm
Keeping the right people on your staff is important to any outpatient surgery program's success, and making sure that paychecks, benefits, retirement plans, and 401Ks are handled properly is essential to employee satisfaction.Advisory issued on hazardous drug exposure
It's estimated that 5.5 million workers are potentially exposed to hazardous drugs or drug waste at their worksites, ranging from manufacturing and shipment of the drug to receiving it at a hospital, storing it, delivering it to patients, and disposing of it.Same-Day Surgery Manager: Would your surgeons retire if they could?
This column is inspired by the May 9, 2007, article in the Association of American Medical College (AAMC) publication that says one-third of doctors over age 50 would retire if they could.SDS Accreditation Update: Document your inspections, and evaluate LSC compliance with building maintenance program
Knowing your outpatient surgery program well enough to answer surveyors' questions and provide necessary documentation is a responsibility that all managers accept and understand, but when the surveyor focuses on Life Safety Code issues, some managers scramble for information.SDS Accreditation Update: CMS clarifies ASC backup power requirements
A recent memorandum from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) allows, in some situations, the use of batteries for essential electrical equipment in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) in the event of a power failure.SDS Accreditation Update: Document every step of tissue transport, handling
A set of recently added frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to tissue standards on The Joint Commission web site was developed when staff members noticed an increasing number of questions related to the tissue standards from accredited organizations rather than an increased number of recommendations for improvement related to tissue standards.SDS Accreditation Update: Demonstrate readiness for communitywide disaster
Your emergency preparedness plan identifies your plan of action for disasters related to weather, fire, and even pandemics, but if your plan only focuses on what you do within your own program, you may not meet surveyors' expectations.Patient Safety Alert supplement