Where is the ASC data?

From HCAHPS to healthcare surveys, hospitals seem to be swimming in data. The question is, where is the comparable data for ambulatory surgical centers (ASC)? For ASCs, the most prominent source of National Quality Forum (NQF)-endorsed measures is the ASC Quality Collaborative (ASCQC). The collaborative has six measures endorsed by the NQF:

• Patient falls
• Patient burns
• Hospital transfer/admission
• Wrong site/side/patient/procedure/implant
• Prophylactic IV antibiotic timing
• Appropriate surgical site hair removal

CMS also has measures for ASC data collection, but data reporting is not yet public and won’t be tied to financial incentives until fiscal year 2015. CMS is continuing to grow its quality reporting program with specific, procedure-based measures. Some ASCs have voiced frustrations that they can’t be responsible for following up with patients who have completed care.

Source: Becker’s ASC Review