The New Jersey Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers has issued a statement in response to a report from the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute which shared concerning findings of violations posing threats to patient safety in 51 licensed ASCs, as well as 40 unlicensed surgical practices.
The statement, attributed to Larry Trenk, president of the NJAASC, reads as the following:
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In the approximately 300 ASCs across New Jersey, the primary focus of physicians and staff continues to be patient safety and a strong commitment to established safety standards. This is as it should be … and also as it must be. After all, as one of the most closely regulated and monitored providers of healthcare anywhere, ASCs are compelled to maintain the highest safety and quality standards. The alternative would be, of course, ceasing to exist.
In addition, the healthcare personnel at ASCs — including physicians representing many specialties — are charged by various professional and ethical considerations to ensure outstanding levels of patient care.
Among current safety- and quality-related points of emphasis for the NJAASC and its member ASCs are:
- Advocating for statewide adoption of rigid infection control standards similar to those of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Medicare Conditions of Participation (COP). Among other things, these call for ASCs to have in place a standard infection control program managed by a designated staff professional. Broad acceptance of COP-like protocols would, of course, ensure that all centers in New Jersey are held to the highest standards in terms of combating infections.
- Supporting specific efforts by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) and working in unison with them to develop and adopt appropriate standards aimed at further enhancement of quality levels, safety criteria, and reporting in all venues of ambulatory surgery.
As individual centers — and as a key sector within the healthcare spectrum — ASCs are passionate about doing things in a manner their patients and the government can support. We comply with very stringent criteria, including specific regulations on infection prevention, plant requirements, and overall safety mechanisms. This can be challenging, but it also makes us the safest, most convenient solution for a range of surgical needs.
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Learn more about the New Jersey Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers.
Read more about New Jersey ASCs:
- Legislation Introduced in New Jersey Concerning Licensure of Surgical Practices