Book excerpt: Ambulatory Surgery Center Safety Guidebook: Managing Code Requirements for Fire and Life Safety helps guide ASC administrative and security staff meet the requirements and standards of both federal and state authorities, including the Life Safety Code, a critical designation for facilities participating in Medicare (CMS) funding reimbursement. Designed for easy reference, the book assumes no code knowledge on the part of ASC staff, and provides guidance for the policies, emergency plans, drills, inspection, testing and maintenance of fire protection and building systems necessary for meeting Life Safety Code requirements. Through sample checklists and log sheets, and a systematic process for completing required documentation, the reader is directed through the crucial steps to achieving code compliance. The guide provides ASC staff the knowledge necessary to be in compliance with the Life Safety Code without the need for an outside security or safety consultant. Through this compliance, facilities remain licensed and qualified for Medicare reimbursement, ultimately improving the financial success of the ASC. - Illuminates the requirements of the Life Safety Code for ASCs for medical and other administrative staff who possess no code knowledge in the ASC setting - Includes compliance requirements for the code, as well as requirements placed upon facilities desiring to participate in Medicare (CMS) funding reimbursement - Provides sample checklists and log sheets for each type of system - Outlines a systematic process for completing the documentation required of ASCs for inspection, testing and maintenance of facility systems crucial to achieving code compliance