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Knee arthroscopies performed at ASCs improve in quality

Ambulatory Surgery Reimbursement Update, March 29, 2005

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) seem to be getting knee arthroscopies and the attending proceses that go along with them down to a science, according to the results of a new study by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) Institute for Quality Improvement.

The results of a 2004 study of patients who underwent knee arthroscopy in ambulatory settings found that 98% of patients felt their discharge instructions were clear and understandable, opposed to a finding of just 48% during a 2002 study. Also, 98% of patients indicated that they were comfortable following their discharge from the ambulatory facility.

Additionally, safety procedures have improved at ASCs, according to the survey. Of the 43 facilities surveyed, 82% had an Advanced Cardiac Life Support-certified staffer monitoring arthroscopy patients during anesthesia, and that protocols were in place to guard against wrong-site surgery in 100% of the facilities.

For more information about the results of the AAAHC Institute for Quality Improvement's 2004 "Knee Arthroscopy with Meniscectomy" survey, visit the organization's Web site at www.aaahc.org or call 847-853-6079.

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