Same-Day Surgery – August 1, 2008
August 1, 2008
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Joint Commission revises universal protocol, clarifies who marks site
Despite being pressured, The Joint Commission (TJC) has not dictated in the revised "Universal Protocol for Preventing Wrong Site, Wrong Procedure, Wrong Person Surgery" that surgeons must be the ones who mark the surgical site. -
Payment changes proposed for hospitals, surgery centers
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a 3% payment increase for hospital-based outpatient programs for calendar year (CY) 2009, while ambulatory surgery specialties will see payment changes ranging from -6% for procedures on the digestive system to 19% for procedures of the musculoskeletal system. -
What has changed in the universal protocol?
In every element of the revised 2009 "Universal Protocol for Preventing Wrong Site, Wrong Procedure, Wrong Person Surgery," including verification of procedure, marking of site, and taking time out, The Joint Commission (TJC) has "gotten a bit more specific about who does what and when," says Peter Angood, MD, vice president and chief patient safety officer for TJC. -
Some may have a 'bit of stress' from new goals
Under the 2009 National Patient Safety Goals, ambulatory surgery programs will be required to implement best practices on prevention of surgical-site infection. -
New toolkit addresses handoff communications
Handoff Communications: Toolkit for Implementing the National Patient Safety Goal will help providers use handoff practices to reduce the risk of medical errors and comply with the National Patient Safety Goal, according to Joint Commission Resources (JCR), which developed the toolkit. -
Focus on what you can change, not the economy
Let's have a show of hands of those who have real concerns about the economy and the overall health of business today. (Cue to author who is waving both hands in the air). -
Be prepared to ask for changes in contracts
A 4% annual increase for the life of the facility is not a typical offer from a payer negotiating a contract with an outpatient surgery facility, but that is exactly what was offered to, and quickly accepted by, one facility. -
Focus on equipment, supplies to find hidden $$
When trying to find ways to cut costs with your supplies and equipment, consider working with one specific vendor within a group purchasing organization (GPO) and reduce your purchasing orders (POs), advises Terry Hawes, RN, vice president of Dallas-based National Surgical Care. -
Four tips for saving money in your program
Within a group purchasing organization, work with specific vendors, suggests Terry Hawes, RN, vice president of Dallas-based National Surgical Care. -
You're not alone when cutting costs
When cutting costs in your facility, other programs, your physicians, and even your staff can be partners. Consider these suggestions from Terry Hawes, RN, vice president of Dallas-based National Surgical Care: -
New cases explore surgery without scars
Surgeons at University of California San Diego Medical Center recently removed a diseased appendix through the mouth. This is another first in a series of firsts for natural orifice surgery.