Same-Day Surgery – December 1, 2006
December 1, 2006
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How do you save money on implants, stay within legal, ethical boundaries?
In light of a $345,000 out-of-court settlement and a national investigation of implant manufacturers, outpatient surgery managers are looking intensely at spiraling implant costs and their own purchasing agreements and wondering, what exactly is considered illegal or unethical behavior when purchasing implants? -
CMS final OPPS rule doesn't link inpatient quality, outpatient updates
In the final 2007 rule for the hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS), officials with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) decided against linking inpatient quality reporting to the outpatient payment update. -
Value analysis program helps keep down costs
With implant and other costs spiraling upward and reimbursement falling behind, outpatient surgery managers are always searching for ways to keep down these costs. One idea that has proven success is the establishment of a value analysis program for purchases. -
Programs face challenge with older patients
With individuals who are ages 65 and older undergoing almost one-third of the 25 million surgical procedures performed annually, and with people ages 85 and older representing the fastest growing segment of our population, it is important that any surgical program pay close attention to the special needs of older patients. -
Physiological changes affect reaction to surgery
No one enjoys undergoing surgery or approaches surgery without some anxiety, but older patients have physiological reasons that may increase their apprehension and confusion about surgery, according to Patricia Stein, RN, MAOL, CNOR, nurse education specialist for perioperative services at Palomar Pomerado Health System in Escondido, CA. -
Tips for caring for older surgical patients
Knowing the physiological differences between your older patients and your younger patients is a good start to providing care that addresses their needs, but some of the things you can do to help the patient don't involve clinical skills, says Jim B. Wilkerson, RN, BSN, CCRN, outpatient surgery supervisor at Pomerado Hospital in Poway, CA. -
Same-Day Surgery Manager: Q&A: Do surgeons have to be credentialed at ASC?
Question: We have a new surgery center, and I have the job (I am being punished) of taking care of the credentialing of the surgeons. I have a couple of questions. -
Journal Review: Tell patients reason for pre-op fasting
In a recent study, only 22% of patients surveyed correctly understood the reason for fasting before outpatient surgery.1 Patients who didn't understand the reason were nearly five times more likely to underrate the importance of compliance. -
ECRI evaluates anesthesia systems
ECRI, a nonprofit health services research agency, has evaluated two anesthesia systems designed for the outpatient surgery setting.