questions appropriately. Be prepared to provide a space for the surveyor to review documents and interview staff, physicians and allied staff mem- bers. Provide the surveyor only with what he or she requests. Do not try to lead them through the survey; let the surveyor lead you. Remember that most surveyors do not have a health care background. Before answering a question make sure you understand what the surveyor is asking. Be prepared to listen to the find- ings at the end of the survey. As- sign someone to take notes during that meeting. Clarify any comments made by the surveyor before he or she leaves your facility. Remember that OSHA provides an appeals pro- cess that you can use to ask about your survey if you feel you might need to contest a finding.


Key Points to Remember OSHA is charged with ensuring that all employees are working in safe condi- tions, and in an ASC, employees are at risk for exposure to a number of hazards, such as harsh chemicals, bloodborne pathogens, anesthesia waste gas and smoke from lasers and electrocautery equipment. To prepare for an OSHA survey, consider the potential risks that exist in your ASC, the best ways to pro- tect your employees and what the OSHA surveyor will want to know.


Beverly Kirchner, RN, CASC, is the president of Genesee Associates Inc. in Highland Village, Texas.


The advice and opinions expressed in this ar- ticle are solely those of the author and do not represent official Ambulatory Surgery Center Association policy or opinion.


Author Beverly Kirchner, RN, CASC, will present an in-depth session about how to prepare for an OSHA survey during ASCA 2013—ASCA’s annual meeting in Boston, April 17–20, 2013. Dur- ing that session, she will discuss more about the elements that an OSHA surveyor examines during these surveys and pro- vide a survey checklist, forms, policies and procedures that ASCs can use to prepare. To reg- ister and learn more, go to www. ascassociation.org/ASCA2013 or call ASCA’s meetings depart- ment at 703.836.5904.


ASC FOCUS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012


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