Because more patients are being treated in ASCs, customizing quality improvement measures to the outpatient environment is essential, according to research published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine Research.
Researchers enrolled 665 ASCs from 47 U.S. states in an intervention to promote surgical safety through a checklist and infection control practices. ASCs fell into eight cohorts, and they implemented the project in four years. To participate, the ASCs submitted monthly outcome data, safety culture assessments, educational events and team-building activities.
Key research details to know:
1. Low complication rates were recorded in cohorts one and two, which were composed of ASCs, hospital outpatient departments and endoscopy centers.
2. The researchers found maintaining high levels of engagement when submitting data was difficult.
3. Researchers concluded, "Using rapid-cycle analysis [quality improvement] strategies in implementation ensured the fluidity and ability of the team to adapt throughout the project. Tailoring interventions to account for the needs of ASCs and the issues surrounding data collection in this setting will help continue [quality improvement] advances in ASCs and allow project time to be spent on implementation rather than process refinement."
Read the full study here.
