vention officer. Earning a CIC (Certified Infection Control) certificate
is a plus, and in some states is required.
Create algorithms to meet and track deadlines. Some websites will
send email reminders about upcoming inspections and equipment pre-
ventive maintenance. Business card files are an absolute must to
maintain contacts with vendors and biomedical companies.
It's not unusual for ASC administrators to fall behind keeping up
with the regulatory issues, especially when there is an upcoming
accreditation inspection at an ASC that hasn't been compliant for
years, especially with all the biomedical inspections and certifications,
such as the UPS (uninterrupted power supply), air exchange devices,
plumbing, monitors and anesthesia machines. You must have proof
that all devices are within compliance guidelines, and it can be costly
to keep them there.
Hope you like to teach, because you'll need to conduct monthly in-
services for all clinical personnel on such infection control topics as
bloodborne pathogens, tuberculosis and hand sanitizing. Hope you
enjoy QI/QA programs, because you must conduct quarterly projects
that have the 10-step guide that meets the CMS certification standard.
And hope you like to post warning and reminder signs throughout
your facility, because that also falls on your plate. You'll also have to
find time to admit patients, recover patients or circulate in the OR.
Why does an ASC administrator have to wear so many hats? One,
because you're that rare breed of expert clinician who possesses busi-
ness acumen, and two, you're a lot less expensive than a dozen con-
sultants. You are the ASC's savior. And as they say, uneasy lies the
head that wears a crown.
OSM
Mr. Luckett (tim-luckett@hotmail.com) is the administrator and director of
nursing of a multi-specialty outpatient surgery center in the Los Angeles area
that performs more than 14,000 cases per year.
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