The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality created a toolkit to help ASCs reduce patient harm.
Here are five quick notes:
1. AHRQ's "Toolkit to Improve Safety in Ambulatory Surgery Centers" is intended to help The Joint Commission-accredited ambulatory care organizations comply with National Patient Safety Goals.
2. The toolkit is divided into three sections: implementation, sustainability and resources. Each section contains information on teaching staff how to apply core concepts of AHRQ's Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program.
3. The toolkit addresses teamwork and communication, coaching clinical teams, patient and family engagement, and sustainability.
4. It includes PowerPoint presentations, videos, facilitator notes and checklists.
5. A patient brochure called "Getting Ready for Your Ambulatory Surgery" is included to help patients understand what to expect before, during and after surgery.