Here are six ASCs with zero percent infection rates.
If you would like to recommend another surgery center leader for this list, contact Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com.
Four Corners Ambulatory Surgery Center (Farmington, N.M.). The surgery center reported zero infections this year, according to Stu McFadden, MHA, MBA, executive director of the ASC. Established in 1998, the center offers surgical services in a wide array of specialties, including general surgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, pain management, podiatry and orthopedics. It is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. The center's hospital partner is San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington.
DISC Sports & Spine Center (Marina del Rey & Newport Beach, Calif.). DISC includes two ASCs — DISC Surgery Center at Newport Beach opened in 2011 and Diagnostic, and Interventional Surgical Center opened in 2006. Both ASCs have been infection-free for spine cases since they opened, said Karen Reiter, RN, COO of DISC. In addition, DISC Surgery Center at Newport Beach has been infection-free for all surgeies performed in the facility.
The surgery center implemented a number of best practices to maintain the zero percent infection rate, such as using nasal iodine for implant cases or diabetics, having a dedicated HVAC system in a separate environment, not allowing scrubs outside the ASC and following AORN guidelines for OR attire. Consistency in implementing these practices is key.
"Be strict and do not compromise your decisions for a doctor who doesn't want to follow the rules," said Ms. Reiter.
The 10,000-square-foot DISC Surgery Center at Newport Beach offers minimally invasive spine surgery and pain management procedures. It is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.
Diagnostic and Interventional Surgical Center, a 7,200-square-foot facility, is focused on providing treatments for orthopedic and spinal disorders. Opened in 2006, the surgery center is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and includes three operating rooms.
Barrington (Ill.) Pain and Spine Institute. The ASC currently has a zero percent infection rate, said J. V. Prunskis, MD, co-medical director of the center. Barrington Pain and Spine Institute is one of the largest ASCs in the Chicago area, and it is certified by CMS and accredited by The Joint Commission. The center offers care for a number of back and neck pain conditions, such as sciatica, myofascial pain and pelvic pain.
Lakewood Surgery Center (Grand Rapids, Minn.). The surgery center had one infection reported in January 2015, which was later found to be a suture reaction and not an infection.
"But we left it logged as such as that is how it was reported," said Rochelle Kingsley, RN, director of nursing of the center. "We strive everyday to make sure our patients are safe, comfortable and have positive surgical outcomes!"
The ASC was opened in April 2006, and it includes private preoperative and recovery spaces. It offers surgical services in ophthalmic surgery, orthopedic surgery, general surgery and endoscopy.
SurgCenter of Western Maryland (Cumberland). The ASC has seen zero infections with more than 4,500 cases performed in 2015, said Raghu Reddy, administrator of the center. The center is licensed by the state of Maryland. It was established in 2011 and currently includes seven participating physicians. They offer care in a wide-array of specialties such as ENT, gastroenterology, general surgery, orthopedics and pain management. The facility is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and is affiliated with SurgCenter Development.