3 Critical Factors for Maintaining Accreditation With Clinical Manager Susan Rahn of Endoscopy Center of St. Louis

Clinical Manager Susan Rahn of the Endoscopy Center of St. Louis shares three key steps to take to remain accredited. The organization has maintained accreditation at both of its facilities since they opened in 2005 and 2007.

1. Use accreditation surveys as a learning experience. Accreditation surveys from any accrediting body can be a long process where surveyors are assessing the facility and interviewing staff members. ASCs can utilize this time to glean additional insights from surveyors and ask for clarification.

"Surveyors are often seen as the bad guy, but a lot of learning can be done during these surveys," Ms. Rahn says. "In my experience, they've pointed out areas of improvement and things to look for in the future."

2. Be proactive. Take advantage of the various seminars, conferences and learning materials publicly available to ASCs. The Endoscopy Center of St. Louis regularly sends managers and interested physicians to meetings and seminars to learn about updates to regulations and bring insights and ideas back to the facility.

3. Keep the facility accountable internally. Employing someone within the ASC to keep the facility accountable with accreditation requirements can be critical to maintaining accreditation in between surveys. The staff at the Endoscopy Center of St. Louis includes an associate who keeps the facility up to date with accreditation standards. Internally creating performance measures have also contributed to success.

"A surveyor once suggested [after seeing our physician report cards] we create report cards for our registered nurses," Ms. Rahn says. "So we took that advice, discussed among the staff what measures to include and built a report card from there."

Learn more about the Endoscopy Center of St. Louis.