The updates and response to COVID-19 rapidly change each day. As you are responding to the needs of your patients, ASC and community, we are working to provide you with resources to assist you in navigating the pandemic response.
By now, ASCs should have implemented the steps in the action plan below, including the protocol to prioritize urgent elective surgeries and postpone all others where indicated. New guidelines have been added from Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AA0).
As California enters the next phase of the COVID-19 outbreak, the California Medical Association (CMA) and California Ambulatory Surgery Association (CASA) are urging physicians and health care policy makers to urgently redeploy resources to meet the coming increase in demand for health care services.
CASA and CMA are working to take inventory of ventilation equipment in these facilities that may be able to be redeployed to hospitals and other facilities dealing with COVID-19 patients. The two medical provider groups are also asking centers to offer an inventory of their personal protection equipment like masks and gloves that may also be redeployed in the short term.
We are asking all of our members to complete the survey as soon as possible. If you have questions, please reach out to CASA Executive Director Beth LaBouyer at blabouyer@casurgery.org or 530.790.7990.
CASA/CMA Press Release
ASC Inventory Survey
If you haven't been contacted already by your local hospital or local emergency response coordinator, you should reach out regarding your ASC's number of anesthesia machines and the ability to provide temporary emergency ventilation, and the capacity to provide services not typically provided in the ASC environment, This information will be vital, particularly for counties with large outbreaks or limited resources.
Additional Updates
The State of California has launched a New Comprehensive, Consumer-Friendly Website and Public Service Announcements to Boost COVID-19 Awareness.
CASA and the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) are in communication with government officials and the California Department of Public Health. As we receive communications we will update our members.
CASA & ASCA Consensus response on COVID-19
All ASCs should adopt the following:
Additional Tools and Consideration
Signs and Posters
Economic Issues