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Are you ready for the biggest change for ambulatory surgery centers in 20 years? The impact of other changes, such as preparing for Y2K, are dwarfed in comparison to the new payment system coming for ambulatory surgery centers, says Judith L. English, vice president of business operations at Surgery Consultants of America and Surgery Center Billing in Fort Myers, FL.
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Save $100,000 in one year? It takes time and effort, but the key to achieving this cost-saving milestone for Calumet Surgery Center in Munster, IN, was careful attention to contracts that automatically renewed themselves.
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No one likes to undergo surgery, and children are especially vulnerable to anxiety prior to surgery. A recent study demonstrates that pre-surgical intervention designed to reduce the fears of children and parents does have a positive impact on the child's surgical experience and recovery.
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In the aftermath of reports that some surgical hospitals called 911 when patients developed complications, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a Survey & Certification letter clarifying that all hospitals are required to appraise medical emergencies, provide initial treatment, and provide referral when appropriate, regardless of whether the hospital has an emergency department.
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On May 2, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a formal request that Shelhigh in Union, NJ, recall all of its medical devices, including hospital inventories, because of sterility concerns. Shelhigh has responded that it will not initiate a recall.
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A Florida hospital has significantly strengthened its policies requiring proper identification for all staff in response a recent incident in which a woman was able to impersonate to an emergency department staff member.
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Risk managers know that communication errors often are a root cause of sentinel events in surgery, and a new study is reporting that specimen labeling is a common error that can threaten patient safety.
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The vast majority of adverse drug events are side effects from a drug that was prescribed as intended, rather than being the result of a drug administration error, according to recent research.
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A 2003 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulation that interpreted the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) does not apply to inpatients does not have the "force and effect of law," according to a recent decision by a U.S. District Court in Puerto Rico.
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With National Public Radio, Oprah, and other media outlets covering patient awareness during anesthesia, many providers report an increasing number of questions about the issue from their patients.
