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33 Quality & Accreditation I n 2010, the healthcare community was tasked with improving quality measures through a series of initiatives, includ- ing Medicare payment incentives and HHS' Partnership for Patients. Preliminary data from HHS demonstrates that such initiatives have proved successful so far. The interim update report on 2013 annual healthcare-associated infection rates and cost savings estimates indicates a 17 percent drop in healthcare-acquired conditions from 2010 to 2013, which equals approximately 1.3 million fewer infections. Such a decline also translates to approximately 50,000 fewer patient deaths in hospitals and a $12 billion reduction in healthcare costs. The report indicates the most significant gains were made from 2012 to 2013 alone. The preliminary data shows in 2013, there were approximately 35,000 fewer patient deaths in hospitals, 800,000 fewer incidents of harm and cost savings of nearly $8 billion. Over the past three years, central line-associ- ated bloodstream infections experienced the largest measured decline, falling 49 percent, followed by catheter-associated urinary tract infections (28 percent), pressure ulcers (20 percent), adverse drug events (19 percent) and surgical site infections (19 percent). "Although the precise causes of the decline in patient harm are not fully understood, the increase in safety has occurred during a period of concerted attention by hospitals throughout the country to reduce adverse events, spurred in part by Medicare payment incentives and catalyzed by the HHS Partner- ship for Patients initiative led by CMS," reads the report. n Patient Harms Fall 17% Since 2010: Are Federal Incentives Working? By Akanksha Jayanthi Surgical Health ASCs have incorporated an active shooter policy. Shooters in healthcare facilities is a sad but not uncommon situation. Hence, surgery centers need to prepare for the possibility. "In our active shooter policy we included details such as the importance of identifying areas within a center where people can hide as well as developing codes that can be used to let people know that there is shooter on the premises," she says. "We also included advice on how to protect patients who cannot be moved from recovery rooms and how to barricade doors that can't be locked." 6. Evaluate continually. Evaluation is key to the success of any plan, especially emergency prepared- ness plans, which must be tweaked in accordance with every emergency. "Conduct an evaluation of how the response to an emergency went and determine what did and didn't go well," says Ms. Allison. "Promptly update the emergency management plan from the les- sons learned." It's important that facility leaders and staff are in- volved in the evaluation of the response to the emer- gency, since the entire organization was affected, adds Ms. Allison, and then share lessons learned with fel- low ASCs. "Preparedness is key for ASCs to care for the commu- nity they serve and networking with each other is vital to that preparedness," she says. n SPINE is Making its MOVE to ASCs ARE YOU? Develop a Spine ASC Succeed with a proven strategic partner Control your surgical environment Meet patients' expectations for minimally invasive spine surgery Spine ASC Partnerships Acquisition Development Management Make your move with us! 615-301-8142 www.meridiansurgicalpartners.com