All 50 Nevada ASCs Being Inspected, “Deficient Practices” Found

Carson City — Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Director Mike Willden say that the Nevada State Health Division, Bureau of Licensure and Certification (BLC) has found several outpatient surgical centers that have had deficiencies noted during Focus Surveys currently being conducted. The Surveys are being completed as part of the State’s effort to inspect all 50 ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) in the state that perform outpatient surgical procedures.

In Northern Nevada, Focus Survey inspections have been done at 10 of 19 ASCs. Three facilities in Reno were found to be deficient due to a lack of using proper antiseptic practices or for not using proper infectious disease prevention procedures. Five other facilities were found to have problems that did not pose an infectious disease risk. In all eight cases, immediate corrective action was undertaken before BLC staff exited the facility. At two facilities, Sierra VistaSurgeryCenter and SouthMeadowsEndoscopyCenter, no deficiencies were noted.

In ClarkCounty, the GastrointestinalDiagnosticCenter will receive a formal Statement of Deficiencies on Monday, March 10, from BLC. The deficiencies noted at the facility are similar to those discovered at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada. The facility will have 10 days to submit its Plan of Correction to BLC (March 21, 2008). Upon further inspection, if the facility is found to be negligent in adhering to the Plan of Correction, the facility is subject to summary suspension of its license.

“It is important to note there has been absolutely no known infectious disease reports associated with any of the facilities that were notified of deficient practices,” Willden said. “Further, the Bureau of Licensure and Certification does not leave a facility whose practices pose a threat to public health until corrective action is taken.”

Willden said the State Health Division continues to work closely with the Washoe County Health Division and the Southern Nevada Health Division to monitor any reports of infectious disease any of the three agencies discovers.

Three facilities in the Reno area who were identified as being deficient due to a lack of using proper antiseptic practices or for not using proper infectious disease prevention procedures are:

• St. Mary’s Outpatient Clinic at Galena

18653 Wedge Parkway, Reno

Improper sterilization procedures

• DigestiveHealthCenter

5250 Kietzke Lane, Reno

Improper sterilization procedures

• SierraCenter for Foot Surgery

1801 N. Carson Street, Carson City

Staff admitted reusing syringes

Additional resources and information are available here.

For further details and updates on the hepatitis C investigation, click here.

Source: Nevada Department of Health and Human Services

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