Conducting quality assurance and performance improvement studies is an integral part of running a successful ASC, but the studies must be well thought out if they're going to be a valuable way to spend staff time, according to ASC software developer Surgical Information Systems.
Three things to avoid when developing studies:
1. Monitoring instead of doing a study. Studies require a beginning, a middle and an end; monitoring infection rates and hand-washing is not the same as performing a detailed study.
2. Not selecting a worthwhile topic. Choosing a topic the ASC already performs well in, such as hand-washing, or doing a study on outdated quality measures, is a waste of staff time, SIS said. Instead, ASCs should choose a topic to study that will provide valuable insights.
3. Copying other ASCs' quality studies. ASCs should strive to create their own studies relevant to what goes on at their center instead of copying the problems other centers tackle in their studies. ASCs can conduct research on issues other centers are facing and then assess if they have the same problems by planning their own original studies.
