The Joint Commission's 2020 patient safety goals went into effect Jan. 1.

Surgery centers can maintain CMS certification by effectively communicating with patients, providing quality care and making continuous improvements, according to One Medical Passport.

Many ambulatory healthcare organizations struggle with thoroughly documenting, updating and verifying medication records, which can increase complication risks and overall costs, according to the AAAHC Institute for Quality Improvement's first-ever Medication Reconciliation benchmarking study.

Cumberland-based Western Maryland Surgicenter earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for accreditation again, the Cumberland Times-News reports.

Three experts weighed on ASC accreditation challenges and opportunities in interviews with Becker's ASC Review.

The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Healthcare created a series of free resources for ambulatory organizations seeking a new accreditation provider, the organization announced Dec. 9.

  The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care has updated its allergy documentation tool kit, adding resources for latex and penicillin allergies.

The Columbus (Miss.) Orthopaedic Outpatient Center has earned the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for advanced total hip and knee replacement, according to the Mississippi Business Journal.

When it comes to accreditation, ASCs are all too familiar with the manual, paper-based process. Preparing for surveyors and then hosting them onsite is time consuming and stressful for all involved.

More sentinel events, or patient safety events that can result in harm or death of patients, are reported by hospitals than in other settings, and 7 percent of all reported sentinel events occur in ASCs or other ambulatory settings, according to The Joint Commission.

Four ASCs recently achieving accreditation:

Crosstown Surgery Center in Edina, Minn., has achieved deemed-status reaccreditation and advanced orthopedic certification from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.

  Keeping up with facilities management in ASCs can be challenging. ASC software developer Simplify ASC outlined how ASCs can make the process a little easier.

Three ASCs recently achieveing accreditation:

The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care awarded Sutter Sierra Surgery Center its orthopedic certification for total joint replacement.

Three accreditation experts weighed on ASC accreditation challenges and opportunities in interviews with Becker's ASC Review.

In the last ten years, and most especially the last four or five years, surveyors are casting a hard look at the condition of older ambulatory surgery centers from the parking lot to the medical gas closet. If you are the owner of one of these older centers built in the eighties or nineties, you need to proactive in preparing your center for a positive survey. That may prove to be a challenge.

Medline and HOTB Software Solutions partnered to develop Surgical Center Toolbox, a program that will help ASCs navigate accreditation compliance processes.

The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care appointed four officers and elected three members to serve on its board of directors in 2020.

  The Joint Commission released the 2020 patient safety goals for ambulatory healthcare.