Episode 292 - Unannounced Outbreak Drills, a ChloraPrep Convenience Kit Recall, the October ASC Payment Update, Direct Contracting, and a Focus on Emergency Preparedness - October 26, 2026

In this episode of the ASC Podcast with John Goehle, we look at a new CDC report on unannounced infectious-disease drills, an urgent recall of convenience kits containing BD ChloraPrep applicators, the October update to the ASC payment system, and a new coalition that wants surgery centers involved in employer direct contracting. Then we take a deep dive into the Emergency Preparedness Condition for Coverage.

 

This episode is sponsored by Surgical Information Systems, RFX Solutions, Medserve and Ambulatory Healthcare Strategies.

 

Notes and Resources from this Episode:

 

Unannounced Drills Using Patient Actors to Evaluate Health Care Facility Readiness for Infectious Disease Outbreaks, January–June 2026 — CDC MMWR (October 1, 2026): cdc.gov

 

Convenience Kit Recall: Medline Removes Convenience Kits Affected by BD ChloraPrep Applicator Recall (Class I) — FDA (October 13, 2026): fda.gov

 

Convenience Kit Recall: AVID Medical Removes Convenience Kits Affected by BD ChloraPrep Applicator Recall (Class I) — FDA (October 14, 2026): fda.gov

 

Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System: October 2026 Update — CMS MLN Matters MM14634, Change Request 14634, Transmittal R13983CP (released October 8, 2026; effective October 1, 2026): cms.gov — MM14634 | Transmittal R13983CP

 

New Direct-Contracting Coalition Looks to Recruit ASCs for its Cause — Ambulatory Surgery Center News (October 22, 2026): ascnews.com | Coalition launch coverage — Fierce Healthcare (September 25, 2026): fiercehealthcare.com

 

Focus-segment source — Condition for Coverage, Emergency Preparedness, 42 CFR 416.54 (eCFR): ecfr.gov — 42 CFR 416.54

 

ASC Quality Collaboration — nine free ASC Toolkits (endoscope reprocessing, environmental infection prevention, hand hygiene, point-of-care devices, prevention of patient falls, safe injection practices, single-use device reprocessing, sterilization and high-level disinfection, and wrong-site prevention), for internal improvement and education use: ascquality.org/toolkits

 

ANNOUNCEMENT - Live Conference Week recordings now available for individual purchase - Premium Access members get all four free: asc-central.com - Conferences & Programs

 

Infection Control Oversight 101 (IC101): asc-central.com/ic101-2026

Infection Control Coordinator Training (IC 201): asc-central.com/ic201-2026

Quality Improvement & Peer Review (QAPI): asc-central.com/qapi-2026

Article 28 Mastery, New York D&TC and ASC: asc-cen