The 12 states — Maine, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, North Carolina, Indiana, Michigan, Arkansas, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming and Kansas — will survey more than 125 ASCs before Sept. 30, 2009, at an estimated cost of up to $1 million. The onsite reviews, paid for out of Recovery Act funds, are designed to ensure that the facilities are following Medicare’s health and safety standards. As part of the new initiative, state surveyors will employ a new CMS survey process that uses a tool developed in conjunction with CDC. In addition, Recovery Act funds will increase the number of ASCs surveyed.
“Keeping patients healthy is one of the requirements of the Recovery Act, and the first 12 states that have volunteered to focus attention on these surgical centers are taking a giant step in helping to reduce infections that affect millions of patients every year,” Sec. Sebelius said in the release. “CMS’s efforts with states to reduce the number of infections quickly are just one part of protecting the health of the nation’s healthcare system.”
An additional $9 million will be available in Oct. 2009 for all states to make additional inspections of ASCs with the new, improved survey tool. The CDC will also make $40 million available to state public health departments to create or expand state-based HAI prevention and surveillance efforts, and strengthen the public health workforce trained to prevent HAIs. These funds support activities outlined in HHS’ 2009 Action Plan to Prevent Health care-Associated Infections.
Read the CMS release on the Recovery Act funds for reducing healthcare-associated infections.
