Participating in the SOPS Ambulatory Surgery Center Database

The SOPS^® Ambulatory Surgery Center Database is a central repository for survey data from ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in the United States or in a U.S. territory that administer the AHRQ survey and choose to submit their data. The SOPS ASC Database Report presents aggregated results for all participating ASCs as well as results by ASC and respondent characteristics. Each participating ASC also receives a feedback report comparing their results with the Database.

Definition of an Ambulatory Surgery Center

Eligible ASCs meet the following requirements:

• CMS-certified and approved ASCs with a valid CMS Certification Number (CCN) (go to the CMS website for more information).
• ASCs that operate exclusively to provide surgical/procedural services to patients that do not require hospitalization (except in unusual circumstances).
• ASCs that do not share space with a hospital or hospital outpatient surgery department.
• Each ASC site or location should be identified as a separate site when submitting to the database.

How To Participate in the Database

Organizations that want to participate in the ASC Survey Database will be asked to register for an account and provide the following information:

• ASC characteristics such as primary ownership, size, specialty, and region.
• A copy of the survey(s) actually administered for review and approval.
• Data Use Agreement, which assures ASCs about the confidentiality of their data and explains how their data will be used.
• Respondent-level survey data following the appropriate data file specifications for each ASC site. Each ASC, including those from a system, is considered a separate ASC for submission purposes and must be submitted with a unique site identification number.

Visit the ASC Survey Database Submission System for additional information and specifications and to register to submit data.

Requirements To Participate in the Database

All submissions of survey data to the SOPS Ambulatory Surgery Center Database must comply with the following guidelines to be included in the Database:

• Administer the SOPS Ambulatory Surgery Center Survey in its entirety without modifications or deletions to the core* survey items.
• Do not change the core survey item text and/or response options. Changes can only be made to the background questions at the end of the survey. If staff positions are modified, they need to be cross-walked back to the original survey categories before submitting data.
• Do not reorder core survey items.
• Be sure to include any definitions of terms, subheadings, and instructions in the survey.
• Do not insert new items or supplemental items within the core survey—they should only be added toward the end of the survey, right before the background questions.

*Note: Core survey items are the survey items in Sections A-G. The core does not include background questions at the end of the survey.

To determine whether a survey is acceptable for submission to the SOPS Ambulatory Surgery Center Database prior to survey administration, email a copy of the survey to DatabasesOnSafetyCulture@westat.com for review.

Contact Information

For free technical assistance and support, contact the SOPS Database team:

• Email: DatabasesOnSafetyCulture@westat.com
• Phone: 1-888-324-9790.