Letters & E-mails

Clarifying What 'Single-Use Meds' Means
"Reusing Single-Dose Vials a 'Recurring Problem' in N.J. ASCs" (www.outpatientsurgery.net/news/2010/08/12) states that, "A single-dose vial can only be entered once. That's what makes it single use."

This is a misinterpretation of the CMS requirements, which require a single-use medication be used for only 1 patient. It does not state that the vial can only be entered once. When you use large vials of single-use meds for long cases, you may enter them more than once as long as you use them for only 1 patient and enter them using aseptic technique.

William H. Heron, MD
Medical Director
MedStar Surgery Center
Washington, D.C.
[email protected]

For the Record

• Here is a photo of Innovative Medical Products' De Mayo Knee Positioner that should have run on page 23 of our July Buyer's Guide 2010.
• Re "Coding & Billing: Getting Reimbursed for New GYN Procedures" (July, page 12). We failed to mention Her Option Cryoablation (wraw.heroption.coma) from Cooper Surgical as an option for endometrial ablation. This technology, which employs freezing rather than heat to destroy endometrial tissue, has been available in the United States since 2001. The article also failed to mention 2 other CPU codes designated for endometrial ablation — 58353 (thermal ablation without hysteroscopic guidance) and 58356 (endometrial cryoablation). CPU code 58356 is specific to the Her Option Cryoablation procedure.
• "Accreditation Services: Finding the Right Fit" (July, page 41) should have included the Institute for Medical Quality (wraw.imq.org) as one of the accrediting bodies for ambulatory surgery centers. IMQ originated as a state-specific accreditor for California, but is now recognized in states across the country; it does not have Medicare deeming authority.