HCPro.com: Ambulatory Quality and Compliance Insider

Whether you're complying with The Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals, meeting CMS requirements, or overcoming AAAHC survey challenges, maintaining highquality patient care is no small task. Every issue of Ambulatory Quality and Compliance Insider is packed with field-tested compliance tips you can implement right away and how-to advice from ambulatory experts across the country.

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December 2008 (Volume 8, Issue 12)	view entire issue

Bone up on respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette to prevent spread of infection
As we head into cold and flu season, it’s more important than ever to ensure that your staff members are well versed in respiratory hygiene.

Beating CFCs to the punch
ASCs make proactive changes in advance of final rule As ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) await the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services’ (CMS) final rule on the Conditions for Coverage (CFC), many have already begun to make changes.

Surgical smoke raises safety alarms
Procedures may expose 500,000 healthcare workers annually New information from regulators and researchers may move occupational hazards from surgical smoke to the front burner, so to speak.

Preparing for the challenges of Medicare fee changes
Editor’s note: The following article is an excerpt from the HCPro book APCs for ASCs: Strategies for Success Under the New Payment System, by John J. Goehle, MBA, CASC, CPA. To find out more, visit www.hcmarketplace.com.

OSHA citations are down, but fines carry weight
ASCs struggle to meet standards with smaller staffs and fewer resources The number of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspections and citations might be down this year, but the most violated standard hasn’t changed.

Other recently-published articles from Ambulatory Quality and Compliance Insider:

Cover all the bases with annual safety training

Weigh safety risks when protecting electronic records

OSHA citations are down, but fines carry weight

Beating CFCs to the punch

Surgical smoke raises safety alarms

Preparing for the challenges of Medicare fee changes

Bone up on respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette to prevent spread of infection

Pathology -project, diabetes program win QI awards

AAAHC’s Chapter 5 proposal worries some facilities

Vigilance needed on reproductive hazards in healthcare

Tackle disruptive clinician behavior early and often

How to conduct an effective root cause analysis

Flash sterilization stirs up debate in ASCs

Save time, money by asking doctors’ offices for info

Universal Protocol: Q&A with Peter B. Angood

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