AHRQ wants to make ASCs safer — Here's how: 5 quick notes

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality created a toolkit to help ASCs reduce patient harm.

Here are five quick notes:

1. AHRQ's "Toolkit to Improve Safety in Ambulatory Surgery Centers" is intended to help The Joint Commission-accredited ambulatory care organizations comply with National Patient Safety Goals.

2. The toolkit is divided into three sections: implementation, sustainability and resources. Each section contains information on teaching staff how to apply core concepts of AHRQ's Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program.

3. The toolkit addresses teamwork and communication, coaching clinical teams, patient and family engagement, and sustainability.

4. It includes PowerPoint presentations, videos, facilitator notes and checklists.

5. A patient brochure called "Getting Ready for Your Ambulatory Surgery" is included to help patients understand what to expect before, during and after surgery.