ISOBS and Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (SAMBA) have agreed to work together and to exchange ideas in an effort to improve ambulatory patient safety. SAMBA represents the interests of clinicians, works to enhance patient safety and provides research and education for practitioners of ambulatory anesthesia.

ISOBS is excited to announce its partnership with and endorsement of the Safety Checklist for Office-Based Surgery and the Patient’s Checklist for Office-Based Procedures from the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN). The mission of AORN, “is to promote safety and optimal outcomes for patients undergoing operative and other invasive procedures by providing practice support and professional development opportunities to perioperative nurses. AORN will collaborate with professional and regulatory organizations, industry leaders, and other health care partners.” Their mission dovetails perfectly with that of ISOBS. Deborah Spratt, RN has graciously accepted our invitation to join the ISOBS Board of Directors. Stay tuned for our first ISOBS/AORN projects: an office based nursing survey and an introductory article in the Patient Safety Column in the Journal of AORN.

From left: Drs. Richard Urman, Jerry Cohen, Richard P. Dutton, and Fred Shapiro

Watch the video presented at our 3rd Annual Reception held in Washington DC on October 12, 2012, honoring Drs. Richard P. Dutton and Jerry A. Cohen for their contributions to patient safety.

Effect of an Office-Based Surgical Safety System on Patient Outcomes research paper (as .pdf)

In recent years, the economic realities of health care reimbursement and a growing consumer demand have led to a paradigm shift in the way health care is delivered: from in-hospital settings to outpatient facilities and offices. The office setting offers improved provider and patient access, convenience, cost-savings, and often is not subject to the same local, state or federal regulations as the hospital or ASC facility. However, safety and quality need special attention in the office surgery setting.

Read the complete ASA article here

Economic realities of health care reimbursement and growing consumer demand have shifted health care delivery: from in-hospital to outpatient settings, and recently to physicians’ offices. The number of offices, patients, variety, and complexity of procedures continues to increase with 12 million office-based procedures performed in 2009. This is due to decreased cost and improved provider patient access and convenience, without regulations similar to those at hospitals or ASCs (Ambulatory Surgical Centers) Office personnel often are not prepared for complications. An increased incidence of adverse events in office-based surgery has caught the public’s attention due to highly publicized fatalities, such as the death of Kanye West’s mother and of young, healthy patients undergoing routine procedures.

read further at the Official Journal of the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation site>

from left to right: Drs. Fred E. Shapiro, Atul Gawande, Mark A. Warner, Richard D. Urman

The Institute honored Dr Atul Gawande, a surgeon, and Dr. Mark A. Warner, an anesthesiologist, for their contributions and dedication to patient safety. Over 150 guests attended the reception.

A video of the event is available here:  ISOBS Awards Reception 2011