An initiative to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) has been launched by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), using funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The 12 states—Maine, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, North Carolina, Indiana, Michigan, Arkansas, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, and Kansas—will survey more than 125 ASCs before September 30, 2009, at an estimated cost of up to $1 million. The onsite reviews, paid for out of ARRA funds, are designed to ensure that the facilities are following Medicare health and safety standards. As part of the new initiative, state surveyors will employ a new CMS survey process that uses a tool developed in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ARRA funds will also increase the number of ASCs surveyed.
Supplementing the funds being made available today, CMS will make $9 million available in October for all states to make additional inspections of ASCs with the new survey tool. The CDC will also make $40 million available to state public health departments to create or expand state-based HAI prevention and surveillance efforts, and strengthen the public health workforce trained to prevent HAIs. These funds support activities outlined in the HHS 2009 Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections.
