Compliance with CMS standards includes adhering to the correct leadership and staffing standards, according to the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society.
OOSS shared insights for ophthalmic ASCs on how to define their staffing standards in The Ophthalmic ASC magazine:
1. Organizational structure. According to CMS standards, ASCs must have a designated governing body that has oversight of all activities in the facility, including an ASC's quality assessment and improvement program.
2. Pharmacy and Therapeutics. A subcommittee approves policies affecting pharmacy services, as well as criteria relating to the effective and safe use of pharmaceuticals.
3. QAPI. A QAPI subcommittee works with the governing body to create program addressing performance improvement.
4. Infection control. Nurses knowledgeable in infection control standards head the committee on infection control.
5. Peer review. Peer review groups maintain a consistent standard of care at an ASC through assessing the clinical performance of its physicians.
6. Medical records. A group dedicated to ensuring the practice's medical records meet standards for confidentiality, accuracy and completeness ensures compliance with CMS standards.
7. Staffing standards. CMS' staffing standards state that surgical procedures must be performed in a safe manner by qualified physicians, which means the ASC must meet CMS' minimum staffing requirements.