A California state investigation recently found that Prime Healthcare, a California hospital chain under investigation for allegedly overbilling Medicare, inaccurately diagnosed 22 patients with the blood infection septicemia, according to a San Francisco Chronicle report.
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Sharps injuries and needle sticks are a significant hazard in the operating room, and providers who don't comply with prevention practices can endanger themselves, their colleagues and their patients. Mary J. Ogg, MSN, RN, CNOR, sharps expert with the Association…
Malignant hyperthermia is an uncommon disorder that presents in an ambulatory surgery center utilizing general anesthesia. Preparation for management of this condition needs to be a significant part of ASC patient safety protocols, and this preparation needs to be proper and…
Over the last two years, Thomas Holecek, administrator of Palos Surgicenter in Palos Heights, Ill., has helped his center almost triple orthopedic case volume. He discusses seven ways he recruited new physicians and prepared the center to handle a significant…
Quality of anesthesia provision can affect patient satisfaction, quality outcomes and finances in a surgery center. Richard P. Dutton, MD, executive director of the Anesthesia Quality Institute, discusses five ways ambulatory surgery centers could improve anesthesia quality — on behalf…
Retaliation is one of the fastest-growing categories of employment litigation. Hospitals can be charged with allegations of retaliation or discrimination by employees who have blown the whistle on false claims activity or complained of other improper conduct. If a hospital…
The Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society has announced its support of a bill which would require managed care plans in the state to use "usual and customary" charges based on the 85th percentile of FAIR Health's outpatient rates database for…
Malignant hyperthermia is a rare occurrence in ambulatory surgery centers, but when it occurs, the ASC must be prepared to respond properly and without hesitation. Time lost trying to determine how to respond to the crisis could lead to a…
A gynecologist from Monroe, N.C., has agreed to pay $750,000 to settle allegations that she billed state Medicaid for six years’ worth of services never rendered, according to a Charlotte Observer report. Latika Patel, MD, owns Carolina Obstetrics and Gynecology…
Regent Surgical Health has named Kathleen Bernicky, RN, BSN, its new director of clinical operations.