The Joint Commission's advanced total hip and total knee replacement certification is now a mandatory element for ASCs earning the Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association's Blue Distinction Center of Excellence distinction.
Here are the key details to know:
1. For ASCs to achieve the Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association's distinction, they must be accredited by The Joint Commission's Ambulatory Health Care program, have The Joint Commission's advanced total hip and total knee replacement certification and be an active member of the national registry for joint replacement.
2. The goals of achieving advanced total hip and total knee replacement certification include encouraging staff development and recruitment, building a structure for systematic approaches to clinical care and educating on best practices from an orthopedic reviewer.
3. The standards chapters for advanced total hip and total knee replacement certification are program management, supporting self-management, clinical information management, performance improvement and measurement and delivering or facilitating clinical care.
4. The performance measures The Joint Commission evaluates for the certification program include regional anesthesia, preoperative functional/health status assessment and post-operation ambulation on day of surgery.
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