David Watts, MD, FACS, CEO of Accreditation Solutions Alliance and board member for the American Association of Accreditation for Ambulatory Surgical Facilities, discusses tools that can make the accreditation process run more smoothly. Q: What types of technology and services are available for ASC leaders to help them prepare for accreditation?
Dr. David Watts: The technology and services available to ASC leaders range from simple data storage to comprehensive accreditation assistance based on each individual ASC’s needs. There are resources available directly from the accreditation organizations such as online versions of standards, online newsletters and publications and online resource guides. The Joint Commission offers online compliance reporting for compliance tasks and peer review. AAAASF requires online peer review reporting. Private, technology-based accreditation compliance companies offer services from data organization and document storage to comprehensive compliance services including credential and medication tracking, online staff training, and quality assessment performance improvement tracking. Private accreditation compliance companies can also prepare facilities for accreditation including: mock surveys with accompanying deficiency reports and subsequent plans of correction.
Q: What tools exist for ASCs to constantly ensure they are meeting compliance standards?
DW: The Joint Commission’s website links participating facilities to the “Connect” portal, which allows facilities to enter and view compliance data 24/7. There are private, technology-based accreditation compliance companies that offer online compliance reporting and tracking services allowing 24/7 access to their facility’s data and compliance status. By having constant access to compliance records, ASCs can quickly and easily identify the need for adjustments or corrections to their compliance protocols.
Q: How much time/energy/financial resources does it take to implement these technologies in the ASC?
DW: The time and energy will vary based on several factors including: the compliance requirements of accrediting organizations, the size of the facility, and the staff assistance and technology program provided by the private technology-based compliance company. By stream-lining facility compliance tasks and reporting, staff time and energy will be significantly reduced leading to cost-savings at the facility. Time and energy will be refocused to patient care and generating revenue instead of compliance tasks.
With regard to the private compliance company, the cost of implementing technology-based compliance services can vary from company to company. The factors that determine the cost of services are: whether the facility is Medicare certified or office-based, the number of providers and the number of operating rooms.
Q: Is there a cost-savings to focusing more attention on accreditation and compliance? How long does it take for ASCs to realize this savings?
DW: Maintaining accreditation and compliance is crucial to the ASC’s bottom line. The best preparation for accreditation is to integrate compliance into day-to-day activities rather than investing resources and time when inspection is approaching. Facilities will realize a significant savings by taking advantage of a private, technology-based compliance service. Private technology-based compliance companies have the resources to streamline compliance tasks; whereas, the facilities are limited to using their nurses and staff to perform compliance tasks thus, taking time away from the operating room and patient care. Facilities will realize the savings almost immediately. Nurses and staff will have more time to focus on generating revenue in the ASC and providing patient care while the technology-based compliance company takes care of accreditation compliance.
Q: What benefits are there for ASCs looking to use technology for compliance and re-accreditation?
DW: There are many benefits for ASCs that to use technology-based services for compliance and re-accreditation. The ASC’s compliance documents will be better organized which will ease the inspection process for surveyors and allow the ASCs to easily access compliance documents. Using technology for compliance significantly reduces the amount of staff time required and takes the guesswork out of compliance. Nursing staff and office staff can focus time and energy on patient care and generating revenue in the operating room. Stress and hassle associated with accreditation and compliance is virtually eliminated. All of the benefits of using technology for compliance lead to cost savings in ASCs.
Q: What challenges do ASCs typically face when implementing these technology systems? How can they overcome these challenges?
DW: One of the biggest challenges ASCs face when implementing technology systems is the staff adjustment from “paper/clipboard/binder” compliance protocols to technology-based compliance protocols. ASC staffs have been using the “paper/clipboard/binder” method for so long, the idea of switching over to technology based compliance may seem complicated.
Another challenge ASCs face is gathering and entering their facility data into their technology-based portal. In order to overcome this challenge, ASCs could take a step-by-step approach when implementing a technology-based system. They might even transition to technology-based compliance in stages. For added convenience and ease of transition, one of the technology-based compliance companies actually advertises data entry as part of their service to ASCs.
Q: Where do you see these types of technology programs heading in the future? How might future technology impact the ASC?
DW: It is inevitable that technology will be an integral part of all phases of the work of healthcare facilities. From electronic medical records to automated medication dispensing cabinets, technology will provide safer and more cost effective ways to manage healthcare facilities. ASCs will most likely use more technology based programs emanating from the major accrediting organizations. The technology programs from the AOs will likely have the ability to link into each facility’s technology-based compliance records to ensure all compliance protocols are being followed at all times. The technology systems implemented from AOs will give ASCs “real time” accreditation information and status.
More Articles on Surgery Centers:
12 Statistics on ASC Administrators Salaries
8 Ideas on Public Relations Programs for ASCs Without Large Marketing Budgets From Central Maine Orthopaedics
8 Trends in ASC Payor Rates & Contract Negotiations