The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit that rates hospital patient safety and quality care, has now rolled out brand-new surveys designed for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Now in its 19th year, the organization says it surveyed a record-breaking 2,021 hospitals --- almost 70 percent of U.S. hospital beds – last year. The ASC survey comes at a good time as some 60 percent of U.S. surgical procedures are now performed in ASC or other outpatient facilities, the group said, noting that the new questions on outpatient and ambulatory surgery quality and safety were developed by national experts and pilot tested extensively .
Questions are based on the latest evidence-based measures, selected with guidance from Leapfrog's national Expert Panel and the Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality at John Hopkins Medicine. The two inaugural surveys for 2019 are now available for viewing. Participation in the Leapfrog Survey is free and voluntary.
"Health plans and purchasers rely on The Leapfrog Group for value-based purchasing and reporting to their enrollees and employees," said Leapfrog president and CEO Leah Binder. "By participating in the Leapfrog Hospital or ASC Surveys, hospitals, and ASCs alike can be recognized for their quality and safety."
The Outpatient Procedures Section of the Leapfrog Hospital Survey will closely align with the Leapfrog ASC Survey, giving purchasers and consumers useful information to compare the same procedure, whether offered at a hospital or an ASC, across a range of topics important to purchasers, employers and patients, including:
· Basic facility resources such as number of procedure rooms, accreditation, and transfer policies and agreements.
· Medical, surgical and clinical staff training, certifications, and education; as well as the credentialing of clinicians.
· Volume and safety of procedures including questions on adult and pediatric outpatient procedures, patient follow-up and after-hours communication, patient selection and consent, and use of a safe surgery checklist.
· Patient safety practices covering medication safety, antimicrobial stewardship, hand hygiene, 'Never Events' policy, and compliance with the National Quality Forum Safe Practices.
· Patient experience stemming from communication from medical personnel about procedures beforehand and thorough instructions for follow on care upon departure.
In the fall of 2019, data collected by Leapfrog from ASCs, and similar information collected from hospital outpatient departments, will be aggregated in a national report for the public. Individual facilities that complete the Surveys will receive benchmarking reports. Beginning with the 2020 Survey, HOPD and ASC results will be publicly reported by facility on The Leapfrog Group's website.
Deadline for survey completion is June 30, 2019 (late submissions will be accepted until the “Late Submissions Deadline” November 30, 2019).
