ASCs can ensure a safe, comfortable environment by continuously monitoring air temperature, humidity and pressure, according to PharmaWatch, a healthcare monitoring solutions provider.
Five takeaways:
1. Surveyors may ask ASCs to provide records proving they've continuously monitored differential air pressure.
2. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers' Standard 170 has been adopted as the pressurization guideline by CMS, The Joint Commission and the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.
3. To adhere to the ASHRAE standard, operating rooms must maintain positive pressure in relation to adjoining spaces.
4. Texas Health Orthopedic Surgery Center in Flower Mound installed a system for continuously monitoring pressure and used the system's data to maintain positive air pressure around the clock.
5. ASC staff members also took steps to minimize the amount of time the OR door was left open.