Rommie Johnson, MPH, PMP, manages the strategic and programmatic direction for Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC) and Office-Based Surgery (OBS) Centers seeking accreditation and certification through ACHC. A bona fide Accreditation Nerd, Rommie sat down with us to...
Ambulatory Surgery Center
Medication Safety: An ASC Expert’s Perspective
Kelly Dragon, MSN, RN is a clinical review specialist, and ambulatory surgery center surveyor with ACHC. She has 17 years of nursing experience in both hospital and ambulatory environments. Her background includes obstetrical nursing, perioperative nursing, and...
Top ASC Deficiencies Highlight Opportunities for Improvement
Top ASC Deficiencies Highlight Opportunities for ImprovementBy: Rommie Johnson, MPH, PMP, Program Director Rommie Johnson manages the strategic and programmatic direction for Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC) and Office-Based Surgery (OBS) Centers seeking accreditation...
Accreditation Theater: The Illusion of Rigor in Healthcare Accreditation
By: ACHC Posted: September 11, 2025In the post-9/11 era, the term "Security Theater" emerged to describe over-the-top yet ineffective airport security procedures designed more to make travelers feel safe than to actually increase safety. Today, healthcare...
The ASC Plan of Correction: A Practical Guide
By: Rommie Johnson, MPH, PMPProgram Director Posted:August 22, 2025Every ACHC ambulatory surgery center survey that yields a citation triggers the need for a plan of correction (POC). A post-survey summary of findings is typically sent within 10 business days of the...
Credentialing: An ASC Expert’s Perspective
Posted: July 3, 2025It’s no secret that we believe our experts are the best around. When publications reach out to ACHC for guest articles, the question isn’t if we can contribute; it’s a question of which ACHC expert do we choose? As part of our longstanding series...
Temperature, Humidity, and Airflow in Your ASC Operating Rooms
By: Rommie Johnson, MPH, PMPProgram Director Posted: May 20, 2025Maintaining optimal temperature, humidity, and airflow in your ambulatory surgery center’s operating rooms isn’t just about comfort; it’s a critical measure to prevent infections, safeguard sterile...
Building an Annual QAPI Plan That Drives Results
By: Rommie Johnson, MPH, PMPProgram Director Posted: April 29, 2025In an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC), a Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Program is more than just a regulatory requirement; it’s a roadmap to enhanced patient safety and care...
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...
Clinical Leadership Has an Essential Role in Nursing Services for Surgical Settings
Clinical Leadership Has an Essential Role in Nursing Services for Surgical SettingsClinical 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.This important...