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From the Desk of Robert Morgan, MSN
Why is there so much attention to infection control in
ambulatory surgery centers?
A report from the Fifth Decennial International
Conference on Healthcare-Associated Infections
indicates that a pilot study of government inspections
of ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) found roughly two-
thirds of ASCs have infection control deficiencies.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS) conducted surveys at 68 ASCs in three states
(32 in Maryland, 16 in North Carolina, and 20 in
Oklahoma) between June and October of 2008 using
the new survey tool created in collaboration with the
CDC. This survey worksheet became a routine audit
tool for ASC inspections starting in October 2009.
The pilot study found that 68% of the facilities had at
least one lapse in infection control, and 18% had
lapses in three or more of the five categories including
hand hygiene and use of gloves, injection safety,
equipment reprocessing, environmental cleaning, and
handling of blood glucose monitoring equipment.
This table
indicates that handling of blood glucose monitoring
equipment, safe injection practices, and equipment
reprocessing were the most common lapses in
infection control.
Click for FDIC on Healthcare-Associated Infections report
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Greetings ASC Administrator or Directors!
National Doctors Day - March 30, 2010
I would like to extend a belated Happy Doctor's Day
from the
staff at Excellentia Advisory Group to all the
Surgeons, Physicians and Anesthesiologist and for
that matter all Doctors.
It has almost been a full year now since CMS initiated
their new Conditions of Coverage, which include the
requirement for a complete Infection Control Program.
Our observation does not show any recent change in
the level of citations being given. Nor are we
experiencing significant changes in the specifics of
the citations. To prepare your center, please focus on
the basics:
- Your formal program
- Handwashing
- Medication Vials
- Housekeeping
- Sterilization Process
- Training
If you have not had a one-on-one conversation with
your anesthesia group, please do so today! A high
percentage of citations are involving these providers.
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| Questions & Answers from recent webinars |
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Our most recent Infection Control webinars had some
excellent questions from the audience. Click on the
link to see the answers provided by Cathy Montgomery
and Robert Morgan to these questions....
- What kind of training does House Keeping need to
have?
- If we want to do "Home Laundry" who endorses
that?
- If our ET tubes have an expiration date on them are
they not any good if the expiration date has passed?
- Where can my Alcohol Hand Sanitizer Dispensers
go?
- We would like to store sterile items on wire racks
with clean items. Where is it appropriate to store
sterile items?
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Click for full Q&A's... |
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| Steris Up-date |
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Last December 3rd 2009 Timothy A. Ulatowski
Director, Office of Compliance Center for Devices and
Radiological Health Food and Drug Administration the
FDA issued a letter on the concerns about the STERIS
System 1 processors, its components and its
accessories. Additionally the FDA made their
recommendations. The letter was directed to the
Administrators and the Infection Control Practitioners
in healthcare facilities. According to the FDA...
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Click for full article... |
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| More on Locking Anesthesia Carts |
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In a memo for the Department of Health and Human
Services dated January 26, 2007 addressed to State
Survey Agency Directors on the subject: Hospitals -
Publication of the Hospital Condition of Participation,
(CoP): Requirements for History and Physical
Examinations; Authentication of Verbal Orders;
Securing Medications; and Post-anesthesia
Evaluations Final Rule. CMS has come out with
several changes in its rules on the locking of drugs
even in a secure location like the operating rooms.
Specifically; The Pharmaceutical Services CoP has
been amended to require that all drugs and
biologicals be kept in secure areas, and locked when
and where appropriate. Schedule II, III, IV and V drugs
must be kept locked within a secure area.
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Read on... |
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