Medline Industries, Inc. Launches New CMS Survey Readiness Program for Ambulatory Surgery Centers

MUNDELEIN, IL--(Marketwire - January 20, 2011) - Medline Industries, Inc., the nation’s largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare supplies, today introduced a new CMS Survey Readiness Program for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). The program helps ASCs interpret new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulatory requirements, prepare for the CMS survey and improve patient safety.

CMS recently mandated the new survey process to promote better infection control practices within the estimated 5,300 freestanding ambulatory surgery centers nationwide that account for 53.3 million same-day surgical and non-surgical procedures.

“There are many significant changes and several new standards in the new CMS guidelines and our CMS Survey Readiness Program will help ambulatory surgery centers understand them and prepare for their on-site survey,” said Lorri Downs, RN, BSN, MS, CIC, Vice President of Infection Prevention for Medline. “The program combines education, readiness tools and useful resources to help ASCs maintain compliance and retain financial reimbursement for the services they provide.”

Medline’s CMS Readiness Program consists of six modules, each designed to address a specific CMS regulation within the survey. Each module includes an easy-to-use manual outlining specific CMS rules and regulations with tips, tools and solutions to help ASCs maintain compliance.

The program consists of the following modules:

• Module 1: Infection Control
• Module 2: Environmental Compliance
• Module 3: Safety in All Ambulatory Surgery Center Departments
• Module 4: Crafting a Quality Assessment Improvement Program
• Module 5: Complying with New Rules and Regulations for Governing Boards
• Module 6: Understanding Patient Rights, Admission and Discharge Needs

An overview of the program called “Keys to Successful Ambulatory Surgery Center Surveys” is currently available at no charge to all surgery centers via a webinar on Medline University (www.medlineuniversity.com), Medline’s online education resource.

“This comprehensive survey readiness program covers nearly everything an ASC will need to comply with the new guidelines,” said Downs. “At the conclusion of the program, ASCs will have the tools and resources to improve patient safety; pass a CMS survey; potentially prevent interruption in patient care and lost revenue; and reduce staff anxiety and work load by providing a ‘turn key’ program.”

For more information on Medline’s CMS Survey Readiness Program for Ambulatory Surgery Centers visit www.medline.com or www.medlineuniversity.com.

About Medline Industries, Inc.
Medline, the nation’s largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products, manufactures and distributes more than 100,000 products to hospitals, extended-care facilities, surgery centers, home care dealers and agencies. Headquartered in Mundelein, Ill., Medline has more than 900 dedicated sales representatives nationwide to support its broad product line and cost management services.