Since more and more surgeries and procedures are being performed in outpatient settings, the policies, plans, and procedures for these services are of increasing importance. 50 Policies and Plans for Outpatient Services details commonly used policies and plans in free-standing ambulatory care centers. Included are plans and policies concentrating on emergency management, medication safety, informed consent, and medical staff credentialing to name a few. As an introduction to the model documents presented, the book begins with a how-to chapter to guide readers through the process of formatting the documents and making them their own. The policies and plans discussed serve as templates and can apply to licensing and regulatory agencies such as Medicare, the Joint Commission, and AAAHC. The documents included in this book are excellent templates to use as a starting point for producing policies and plans that help create the flow and process in an organization. Knowing their specific local, state, and other governing agency requirements, readers can customize the documents to reflect the unique structure and qualities of their organization through the use of the downloadable resources. The resulting policies, procedures, and plans are the back-up documents that provide rationale, vision, and theory, and can be valuable tools for making effective clinical and administrative decisions. In addition to the documents provided on the downloadable resources, the book also includes a list of helpful resources.

A valuable reference for those involved in the field of ambulatory patient care, Improving Quality in Outpatient Services offers time-tested instruction on how to create a world-class outpatient program. It supplies a high-level overview of current opportunities, national quality programs, and challenges-outlining the policies, procedures, and plans required for success. Stimulating readers with a wealth of practical applications, stories, and examples, the book details the governance, medical staff, and quality structures required to create, implement, and maintain a safe and efficient outpatient program. It introduces powerful techniques for infection control, medication management, risk prevention, and the elimination of medication errors. It also: Lists mandatory policies and procedures Contains practice drills to prepare you for real-world scenarios Explains how to create a report card to measure quality at all levels Includes a sample curriculum that outlines the courseware required by OSHA and other licensing and regulatory agencies The authors address documentation and human resources factors and supply an abundance of information and resources in the appendices, including how and where to apply for certification, medical record review tools, policy and procedure checklists, and a state-by-state listing of resources available for outpatient and ambulatory programs. Explaining how to involve patients in the decision making process, the text details a proven system for evaluating quality at all levels of your organization.