ASCs Remain Safe for Surgery
Raleigh, N.C.–March 16, 2020 – Compass surgery center administrators balance the management of healthcare facilities amid global materials shortages and rising public health concerns, while maintaining their commitment to excellent patient care. Compass is grateful for the administrators’ courage and poise in confronting challenges, including the staffing and scheduling of their centers.
Administrators are committed to collaborating on protocols, best practices, and preparedness, as well as the current state of COVID-19 in the U.S., following guidelines from both The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). A consolidator of expert information, The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) affirms ASCs have an opportunity, in this time, to provide safe surgical services to their communities, without depleting essential resources necessary to care for those who are ill and emergent, from COVID-19 or otherwise. In turn, as Compass administrators continue operating their centers, they can substantially reduce the number of patients needing inpatient care, and therefore ease the burden on hospitals.
A statement from ASCA continues, “With the growing concern that hospitals may be overwhelmed by a surging number of patients with COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that some inpatient surgeries be shifted to outpatient settings, when feasible. The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) has consulted with clinical experts in our community, and the consensus position is that ASCs can continue to provide safe surgical care for patients whose condition cannot wait until hospitals return to normal operations,” while allowing local hospitals to managing increasing volumes.
To limit potential COVID-19 exposure for staff, patients and visitors, administrators have increased visitation restrictions and reduced the number of community members at our facilities, with a limit of one visitor per patient. Additionally, all patients and visitor/drivers will be screened.
Chief Clinical Officer Beth Derby reiterated, “The primary concern is protecting the health and well-being of our employees, our patients, and the communities we serve.” Each center is conducting emergency preparedness drills, including emerging infectious disease (EID) code drills. Collaborative meetings are scheduled weekly and will occur more often as the situation requires.
Compass clinical staff continue to provide updates and advise center staff, relaying any service-related updates, though the administrators are the ones continually supporting their communities, providing care to patients needing urgent elective surgeries.
For more information on Compass surgery centers, visit compass-sp.com. For more information on the development of COVID-19, visit https://www.cdc.gov/.
