Ambulatory surgery centers will not longer be required to stock a CMS-mandated roster of emergency equipment, but will instead be able to choose the tools necessary for their specific patient base and procedures, according to a recent federal transmittal.
The change allows each surgery center's governing body and medical staff to determine which equipment should be on hand to handle emergency situations. This change emerged from CMS' decision that "some of these equipment requirements are outdated, while [others] … would not be applicable to the emergency needs of all ASCs," according to the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association.
The rule will take effect July 15.
Related Articles on ASC Accreditation:
Staff Education Tool: Joint Commission Accreditation Education Worksheet
Joint Commission Receives Clarification on Aetna Payments for In-Office Pathology Testing
Joint Commission Resources Launches Certified Accreditation Professional Program
The change allows each surgery center's governing body and medical staff to determine which equipment should be on hand to handle emergency situations. This change emerged from CMS' decision that "some of these equipment requirements are outdated, while [others] … would not be applicable to the emergency needs of all ASCs," according to the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association.
The rule will take effect July 15.
Related Articles on ASC Accreditation:
Staff Education Tool: Joint Commission Accreditation Education Worksheet
Joint Commission Receives Clarification on Aetna Payments for In-Office Pathology Testing
Joint Commission Resources Launches Certified Accreditation Professional Program