New Funds to Survey ASCs for Healthcare-Associated Infections
CMS is working with states to implement a new survey process to promote better infection control practices in ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). Specifically, $10 million of ARRA funding is being made available to states in FYs 2009 and 2010 to implement a new survey process and increase the frequency of inspections for ASCs. In addition to remedying current infection control lapses and preventing future healthcare-associated infections, the funds will help states avoid otherwise planned layoffs or furloughs and/or recruit additional surveyors to inspect more ASCs.
