Office-Based Surgery Accreditation Gains Momentum
Validare is proud to announce that in 2008 it assisted 54 Office-Based Surgery (OBS) providers achieve accreditation or re-accreditation with a national accreditation agency and improve patient safety.
New York, NY, January 24, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Outpatient surgeries have continued to increase in recent years, a result of advancements in anesthesia and surgical procedures. However, educated patients are growing more cautious about having elective outpatient procedures, especially those in office-based settings. As the economic climate in the US and abroad changes, patients will be searching for providers who have experience and a proven track record. Validare is proud to announce that in 2008 it assisted 54 Office-Based Surgery (OBS) providers achieve accreditation or re-accreditation with a national accreditation agency.
“Accreditation by a national agency distinguishes an OBS,” comments Linda Ramputi, RN, Vice President of Accreditation Services for Validare. “These providers are held to a different standard and maintain high standards of patient care.” Accredited OBS providers must institute safety protocols that help organize the office and all activities and procedures. Ensuring that patient safety standards are in place and adhered to is one thing a patient should look for when evaluating health care providers.
Research recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine and highlighted in an article in TIME magazine found that when surgical teams followed a simple checklist prior to and during surgery, patient mortality rates were cut nearly in half and complications fell by more than a third. A surgery checklist is one of the things that an accredited OBS provider must implement with every surgery. Information regarding the surgery site and patient-specific data, such as allergies, are reviewed a final time prior to starting a procedure.
OBS accreditation is not mandatory in all states. Laws are changing slowly and in New York all offices practicing office-based surgery are required to become accredited by July 14th of this year or they cannot perform procedures with IV sedation. Westside Surgical Facility, a leading podiatry practice located in New York City, recently passed a re-accreditation survey marking an important achievement in patient safety. Drs. Paul M. Greenberg, DPM and Rick J. Delmonte, DPM and their staff learned in late 2008 that their facility had successfully maintained all of the requirements and safety standards set by The Joint Commission, one of three national accreditation agencies. OBS accreditation is valid for three years before re-accreditation is necessary. Westside Surgical was originally accredited in 2005 and although requirements for podiatrists have not changed, they realize the importance of accreditation for the safety of their patients.
“We are proud of our long term commitment to patient safety. Three years ago, with the help of Validare, we raised the bar in our office and put specific procedures in place. Continually working with Validare through their Validare MaintainTM system, we established internal mechanisms and processes which we have been able to maintain, even during staff changes. The documentation required and the attention to detail is time consuming,” acknowledges Dr. Greenberg. “Validare understands the regulations inside and out and is a constant support for our office.”
“Re-survey is a chance for offices to demonstrate that they have remained committed to sustaining good practices and procedures over time,” comments Validare CEO, Rock Rockett, PhD. “We work with over 200 OBS providers who are interested in maintaining high standards and we see everyone benefit – from OBS practices and their physicians to patients and health plans, who very often recognize the value.”
About Validare
Validare is the industry leader in accreditation consulting for office-based surgery (OBS) providers. With offices in New York, Chicago and San Francisco, Validare provides patient safety advocacy and assistance to physicians and their offices in preparation for and maintaining OBS accreditation. Recognized as a valuable partner to both OBS offices and health plans, Validare’s clients provide health plans with access to qualified OBS providers who provide an alternative to costly outpatient procedures performed in the hospital setting.
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“Accreditation by a national agency distinguishes an OBS,” comments Linda Ramputi, RN, Vice President of Accreditation Services for Validare. “These providers are held to a different standard and maintain high standards of patient care.” Accredited OBS providers must institute safety protocols that help organize the office and all activities and procedures. Ensuring that patient safety standards are in place and adhered to is one thing a patient should look for when evaluating health care providers.
Research recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine and highlighted in an article in TIME magazine found that when surgical teams followed a simple checklist prior to and during surgery, patient mortality rates were cut nearly in half and complications fell by more than a third. A surgery checklist is one of the things that an accredited OBS provider must implement with every surgery. Information regarding the surgery site and patient-specific data, such as allergies, are reviewed a final time prior to starting a procedure.
OBS accreditation is not mandatory in all states. Laws are changing slowly and in New York all offices practicing office-based surgery are required to become accredited by July 14th of this year or they cannot perform procedures with IV sedation. Westside Surgical Facility, a leading podiatry practice located in New York City, recently passed a re-accreditation survey marking an important achievement in patient safety. Drs. Paul M. Greenberg, DPM and Rick J. Delmonte, DPM and their staff learned in late 2008 that their facility had successfully maintained all of the requirements and safety standards set by The Joint Commission, one of three national accreditation agencies. OBS accreditation is valid for three years before re-accreditation is necessary. Westside Surgical was originally accredited in 2005 and although requirements for podiatrists have not changed, they realize the importance of accreditation for the safety of their patients.
“We are proud of our long term commitment to patient safety. Three years ago, with the help of Validare, we raised the bar in our office and put specific procedures in place. Continually working with Validare through their Validare MaintainTM system, we established internal mechanisms and processes which we have been able to maintain, even during staff changes. The documentation required and the attention to detail is time consuming,” acknowledges Dr. Greenberg. “Validare understands the regulations inside and out and is a constant support for our office.”
“Re-survey is a chance for offices to demonstrate that they have remained committed to sustaining good practices and procedures over time,” comments Validare CEO, Rock Rockett, PhD. “We work with over 200 OBS providers who are interested in maintaining high standards and we see everyone benefit – from OBS practices and their physicians to patients and health plans, who very often recognize the value.”
About Validare
Validare is the industry leader in accreditation consulting for office-based surgery (OBS) providers. With offices in New York, Chicago and San Francisco, Validare provides patient safety advocacy and assistance to physicians and their offices in preparation for and maintaining OBS accreditation. Recognized as a valuable partner to both OBS offices and health plans, Validare’s clients provide health plans with access to qualified OBS providers who provide an alternative to costly outpatient procedures performed in the hospital setting.
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Contact
Validare
Kathleen McEntee
312 242 1606
www.validare.com
Kathleen McEntee
312 242 1606
www.validare.com
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