First, ASCs need to tailor their infection control risk assessment to their own individual center, said Ms. Patrick. Such factors include populations served, types of procedures, personnel numbers and geographic location.
For example, in Tacoma, Wash., where Ms. Patrick is from, the presence of lahar, a type of volcanic debris, is in risk assessments because the Pacific Northwest is surrounded by volcanoes. Healthcare facilities in Iowa, for example, will have different environmental issues in their risk assessments.
To actually do the risk assessment, Ms. Patrick said the leadership needs to collaborate with all employees. “It’s not your risk assessment,” she said. “It’s everybody’s risk assessment.”
Addressing current events and a question from the audience regarding Ebola, Ms. Patrick said factoring Ebola into the ASC risk assessment has a very low risk, though surgery centers could include it in their risk assessment.
“With ASCs, patients don’t come in cold through the front door. They come from other facilities, referral based, whether it’s the doctors offices or primary care people who refer to your facility, so they’re already screened before they come,” Ms. Patrick said. “If I’m an ASC, I’m not going to go out and buy $100,000 worth of PPE. You call your patients ahead of time, and if you anticipate your patient may be coming from one of those high-risk countries, you may want to ask some additional questions.”
More articles on infection control:
ASCs & Ebola: What you need to know
Ebola checklist for outpatient facilities
Most-missed handwashing spots, tools and best practices: 3 must-reads
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.