Medical errors and CMS quality reporting captured the attention of Becker's ASC Review readers in 2016.
The following are among the most popular infection control and clinical quality stories this year:
1. Medical errors occur in nearly 50% of surgeries — 4 key notes
A new study indicates medical errors are a much larger problem than previous studies implied, with nearly 50 percent of surgeries encountering a medical error or unintended drug side effect.
As the healthcare industry becomes more regulated, ASCs will have to comply with increasingly strict guidelines for infection control. With good reason, as a lack of compliance can compromise patient safety, which may yield poor patient outcomes and financial repercussions.
3. Top 25 states with the highest & lowest ASC wrong-site surgery rates
CMS released the results for its 2014 Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting Program, which cited the states with the highest rates and lowest rates for wrong site, side, patient, procedure and implant.
4. The best strategies to engage millennial nurse leaders
Nurses entering practice today need to be trained on how to become the next generation of nurse leaders. In order for that to happen, there are time-tested principles/practices that need to be observed, but the way in which those are delivered must evolve to reflect how this new class of "millennial" nurses absorbs and processes information.
5. CMS' 2017 OPPS/ASC proposed rule adds 7 new ASC quality reporting measures — 5 key things to know
CMS released the Calendar Year 2017 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System proposed changes. The changes include updates to quality provisions, policies and payment rates.
6. 12 patient handoff communication tools to know
Here are 12 tools that aim to improve patient handoff at healthcare facilities.
7. 10 things to know about medical errors
Medical errors are common in the United States, however, they are also preventable. Here are 10 notes on medical errors.
Boston-based Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School researchers found patient-centered perioperative checklists may help surgeons in outpatient settings bolster patient outcomes, surgical quality and patient satisfaction scores.
9. 6 best injection practices for your healthcare facility
Safe and effective injection practices are a cornerstone of any facility's infection prevention processes.
On Oct. 4, Massachusetts nurses testified during a public hearing, regarding Republican Gov. Charlie Baker's proposal to allow unlicensed people to administer medication in all healthcare settings.
