Becker's ASC Review

50 Accreditation After Accreditation: How Does the Process Improve ASCs? By Ellie Rizzo W hile the initial accreditation process may involve changes in workflow, accreditation readiness becomes integrated into the fabric of compliant ASCs in a way that has many potential benefits to the center, according to Michael Kulczycki, MBA, CAE, executive director of The Joint Commis- sion's Ambulatory Care Accreditation Program. Here are some of the ways ASCs stand to benefit from pursuing and maintaining ac- creditation. 1. More patients are beginning to check for accredita- tion. Mr. Kulczycki says that Consumer Reports has run pieces on why patients should care about accreditation at healthcare facilities. This kind of burgeoning awareness of compliance with third-party evaluation via an onsite survey is something on which ASCs may not want to miss out. 2. It becomes a beneficial routine. "We do hear from some customers that accreditation can bring frameworks, standardiza- tion and efficiencies that can lead to smarter ways of doing things," says Mr. Kulczycki. 3. Surveyors have seen it all. At The Joint Commission Mr. Kulczycki says its employee surveyors see between 25 and 100 or- ganizations each year. "They often see problems they've seen some- where else, and they also see solutions they can share," he adds. "We once had a surveyor at an ASC in a leased space with an odd back emergency entrance that couldn't fit a gurney. The fire department fined them, and the ASC was considering building modifications that would have cost between $40,000 and $50,000. But the survey- or had seen an articulating gurney that could move around corners at another center. That solution cost $4,000. It's not directly integral to standards, but it's an example of how surveyors can consult and spread ideas." 4. It can pay for itself, in certain circumstances. Some liability providers will recognize accreditations for discounts, ac- cording to Mr. Kulczycki. This can allow the cost of the accredita- tion to make up for itself, and quickly, through things like liability premium discounts. 5. It may provide access to additional useful resources. The Joint Commission in particular offers ready-made perfor- mance improvement tools, a leading-practices library compiled from compliant healthcare facilities and other resources to its ac- credited organizations free of charge. "If an ASC needs a new prac- tice improvement idea, it can creatively borrow the idea directly from another center," says Mr. Kulczycki. 6. It attracts stellar staff. "It's often a factor for retaining and recruiting staff. If your center is accredited and the neighboring center is not, it makes a difference," says Mr. Kulczycki. n OrthopaedicAdvantage.com Leading the way in helping health care providers transition the delivery of joint replacement procedures to the ASC environment. Transforming Outpatient Joint Replacement

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