Research published in the American Journal of Infection Control detailed areas ASCs should target to improve safe injection practices
Researchers examined a national ambulatory safe injection practices study conducted over a six month period from January 2017 to June 2017 in 20 organizations, including ASCs and primary care offices. Data gathered from the study included compliance with national safe injection guidelines, including aseptic techniques, disposal of single-use medications and medication storage and disposal.
Here are the key research insights to know:
1. Rate of compliance for aseptic techniques was 84 percent for ASCs and 98 percent for primary care offices.
2. Medication storage compliance rates were 68 percent for ASCs and 84 for primary care offices.
3. Medication preparation compliance rates were 77 percent for ASCs and 87 percent for primary care offices.
4. Seventy-seven percent of ASCs were compliant with proper medication disposal techniques, compared to 73 percent of primary care offices.
5. "These findings indicate differences that need to be addressed to ensure patient safety in both ASC and primary care settings. Conducting SIP risk assessments and training for all healthcare providers, plus using available resources may lower the deficiency rates," researchers concluded.