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Several lawmakers in Nevada plan to introduce legislation which would require ASCs to be accredited or inspected by an organization other than the state’s Bureau of Licensure and Certification, according to published reports.

The push for accreditation, which is voluntary in the state, comes several weeks after thousands of patients were potentially exposed to hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases after unsafe injection practices at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada. Six cases of acute hepatitis C have been traced to the center. Another case was linked Desert Shadow Endoscopy Center, a sister clinic.

“With respect to inspections, the state’s licensing bureau has had to work from behind because it is understaffed,” said Assemblyman Joe Hardy (R-Boulder City), who is one of the lawmakers planning to introduce the legislation, according to the published reports. “The bottom line is inspections did not take place through no fault of the people, and because of our budget crisis it is probably time to look at something outside the budget.’’

Inspections following the outbreak have revealed problems at centers that were and were not accredited.

Representatives from the accrediting organizations are scheduled to testify next week when the state’s Legislative Committee on Health Care hold a meeting to examine the outbreak.

Jeff Pearcy, executive director for the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, said he intends to recommend that the state not only require accreditation for ASCs but also for physician’s offices where outpatient surgeries also take place, according to the reports.