During my many years of travel to many facilities across the country, I've been asked one question many times: Where can I find information about clinical and regulatory issues? My go-to resources appear below. This is by no means a complete list — just a few key tools that will save you time and energy when looking for answers to common questions. Cut out these pages and hang them near your desk. Better yet, take a few minutes to bookmark these Web sites in your Internet browser.

Associations and Societies

Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA)
www.ascassociation.org
Provides resources that cover all aspects of ASC operations. Membership includes participation in benchmarking studies, salary surveys and more.

American College of Surgeons (ACS)
www.facs.org
Presents the latest information on surgical topics as well as legislative and regulatory issues affecting the field of surgery.

American Hospital Association (AHA)
www.aha.org
Measures health and hospital trends and provides its members with information on Medicare, employee relations, patient safety and surgical care improvements.

American Nurses Association (ANA)
www.ana.org
Addresses the concerns of nurses with respect to patient care, including ethics and standards, education, regulations and accountability for practice.

American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
www.asahq.org
Resources include standards, guidelines, statements and practice parameters based on scientific evidence.

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopists (ASGE)
www.asge.org
A look at endoscopy practice guidelines, technology reviews, government and advocacy issues, practice management tips and quality and safety practices.

American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses (ASORN)
www.asorn.org
Tools for supporting the ophthalmic surgical team through individual development, education and evidence-based practice.

American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN)
www.aspan.org
Resource for perianesthesia education and knowledge, including safety issues, public policy, nursing practice and standards.

ASC Quality Collaboration
www.ascquality.org
Dedicated to advancing high quality, physician-led and patient-centered care in ambulatory surgery.

Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN)
www.aorn.org
Access to standards and recommended practices, position statements, patient safety resources, peer-reviewed literature and networking opportunities.

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
www.apic.org
Promotes wellness and prevents illness and infection worldwide with up-to-date information, education and guidance in infection prevention and control practices.

Association of Surgical Technologists (AST)
www.ast.org
Represents surgical technologists and surgical assistants, setting education standards and providing association news and technology updates.

Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society (OOSS)
www.ooss.org
Provides advice on payor contracting, best business practices, marketing tips and updates on how ophthalmic ASCs are paid and regulated.

Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (SAMBA)
www.sambahq.org
Presents economic, political and legal issues, scientific developments, practical advice and an exchange of ideas among anesthesia providers.

Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA)
www.sgna.org
Networking resources, practice advice and the latest information on GI-related innovations and standards.

Government

Americans with Disabilities Act
www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm
Guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
www.cdc.gov
Relates information on environmental health and injury prevention, health information services, health promotion, infectious diseases, global health and terrorism preparedness and emergency response.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
www.eeoc.gov
Enforces federal employment discrimination laws.

Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC)
www.medpac.gov
Advises Congress on issues affecting the Medicare program.

National Council of State Boards of Nursing
www.ncsbn.org
Your source for state nursing licensure information.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
www.cdc.gov/NIOSH
Resources that help prevent work-related injuries and illness.

OSHA Healthcare Training (OSHA)
www.oshacampus.com/healthcare-industry.cfm
Info on back injury prevention, fire safety, infection prevention and workplace violence.

Accreditation

Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)
www.aaahc.org
Accreditation standards, application info and a listing of accredited organizations.

American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF)
www.aaaasf.org
Accredits single-specialty and multi-specialty facilities.

The Joint Commission
www.jointcommission.org
Information on standards, accreditation status and a listing of accredited organizations.

Facility Management

Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF)
www.apsf.org
A multidisciplinary group interested in the safety of patients under anesthesia care.

ECRI Institute
www.ecri.org
A non-profit organization providing evidence-based research on medical procedures, devices, drugs and processes.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
www.dol.gov/elaws/flsa.htm
Provides information about federal minimum wage, overtime and record-keeping requirements.

HR-Guide
www.hr-guide.com
Links to free computer programs for human resources professionals, other HR-related Web sites and guides to HR-related topics.

Life Safety Code (LSC)
www.cms.hhs.gov/certificationandcomplianc/11_LSC.asp
Fire safety laws, regulations and compliance information.

Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS)
www.mhaus.org
Includes podcasts, presentations by leading MH experts, reference materials and "Case of the Month" reviews.