Articles
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Performance Goals and Indicators for the Hospital’s Physical Environment
ACHC Standards are structured to align with a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) quality improvement framework. Within each chapter, standards identify…

Temperature, Humidity, and Airflow in Your ASC Operating Rooms
Maintaining optimal temperature, humidity, and airflow in your ambulatory surgery center’s operating rooms isn’t just about comfort; it’s a critical measure…

Building an Annual QAPI Plan That Drives Results
In an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC), a Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Program is more than just a regulatory requirement.

Strengthening Pharmaceutical Compliance in ASCs
Safe pharmaceutical practices in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are essential to patient safety, regulatory compliance, and high standards of care. ACHC Standard stipulates that drug preparation and administration align with federal and state laws. This standard is...

Bridging the Gap: Connecting Hospital Physical Environment and Life Safety Standards
From a facilities perspective, protecting patient and staff safety are the hospital’s biggest priority. To ensure this safety, all aspects of the facility must be constructed, arranged, and maintained to meet a range of regulations.

Clinical Leadership Has an Essential Role in Nursing Services for Surgical Settings
Clinical leadership is a critical role for ensuring patient safety in the surgical setting, and, in many cases, it’s a requirement of state and federal regulations.

Time Out: Working to Ensure Operating Room Mistakes Don’t Happen
Did you know that the “time-out” performed in healthcare operating rooms was adapted from the aviatio¬¬n industry’s practices? Aviation’s pre-flight checklist and communication protocols reduced errors and enhanced safety.

Medication Safety for Ambulatory Surgery Centers
In any medical setting, accurate recordkeeping and safe management are essential for drugs and biologicals. Medications must always be properly secured and provided in a safe and effective manner. ACHC Standards are specific in how your ambulatory surgery center staff should manage medications and records.

Is Your ASC Survey Ready? A Little Effort Can Prevent a Lot of Stress
What? You stressed? Not when you have it all under control with organization and preparation and an assortment of binders holding all the paperwork. When it’s time for your ambulatory surgery center’s accreditation survey, you and your well-informed staff will be survey ready.

Got Safety Plans? Waterborne Pathogens Can Spread Infection
As essential as water is to any hospital, this crucial element also can be a threat to patient safety. Waterborne pathogens – including multidrug-resistant organisms – can spread in seemingly innocuous ways. Having safety plans is essential.