Anyone having surgery should expect the highest quality standards at their facility.
Thanks to the Health Error Accountability Law (HEAL), patient safety in New Jersey hospitals is tracked through the Department of Health and Senior
Services (DHSS). Yet, over
percent of surgeries occur in Ambulatory Surgery Center
ASC)s, free standing facilities specializing in outpatient surgeries and other procedures. Of
state’s 212 ASCs, only onethird are state licensed. Recent national and New Jersey inspections uncovered serious problems in sterilization of equipment and improper cleaning
standards. But these inspections occur infrequently.
Legislation to address these issues is close to approval. Assembly bill 3465 will require ASCs to use uniform billing codes so the state can better monitor preventable medical error data. Further, by mirroring the Hospital Acquired Infection Reporting Law for ASCs, New Jersey will be able to track their rate of surgical infections.
It’s time to have better oversight by both the state and consumers on the quality of care offered by ASCs.
Ken Lindhorst Executive Councilman
AARP New Jersey
Summit