The Professional Organizations

Question 1

Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology

Answer 1

The curriculum for an educational program that provides the expected entry-level knowledge for the surgical technologist.

Question 2

Association of Surgical Technologists (AST)

Answer 2

The non- profit national professional membership organization for surgical technologists and surgical assistants.

Question 3

American College of Surgeons (ACS)

Answer 3

Non-profit national organization of surgeons located in Chicago, Illinois.

Question 4

Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs)

Answer 4

Facility where patients are treated and released the same day; also known as outpatient surgery or same-day surgery center.

Question 5

Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA)

Answer 5

A committee on accreditation that is under the large umbrella of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), which oversees the accreditation processes of surgical technology education programs

Question 6

Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)

Answer 6

A physician who treats patients in a holistic manner and emphasizes the use of manipulative techniques for correcting.

Question 7

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)

Answer 7

Health care organization that serves as both the insurer and provider of medical services; typically, a group of physicians provides services to a population of clients who voluntarily enroll in the program.

Question 8

National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)

Answer 8

Organization that is solely responsible for all decisions regarding certification, from determining eligibility to maintaining

Question 9

The Joint Commission (TJC)

Answer 9

An independent, nonprofit national organization that develops standards and performance criteria for health care organizations.

Question 10

American Medical Association (AMA)

Answer 10

A professional organization dedicated to ensuring sustainable physician practices that result in better health outcomes for patients.

Question 11

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

Answer 11

A national standards-setting organization that oversees the development and use of recognized standards that directly impact businesses in nearly every sector, including healthcare.

Question 12

American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)

Answer 12

A national organization dedicated to the patient-centric theme of a perioperative surgical interdisciplinary team to ensure best patient outcomes.

Question 13

Association for Professionals of Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)

Answer 13

An international organization for infection preventionists (IPs). Many IPs are employed within healthcare institutions and may serve as educators, researchers, consultants, and clinical scientists. The mission of the organization is to promote wellness and prevent worldwide infection.

Question 14

Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI):

Answer 14

A nonprofit organization involved in the development, management, and use of safe and effective medical technology and devices.

Question 15

Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN):

Answer 15

An organization that represents the interests of perioperative nurses by establishing standards in nursing education and clinical practice.

Question 16

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Answer 16

A U.S. government organization under the federal Department of Health and Human Services that works with states and other partners to provide a system of health surveillance to monitor and prevent disease outbreaks, including bioterrorism; implement disease prevention strategies; and maintain international health statistics.

Question 17

Council on Surgical and Perioperative Safety (CSPS):

Answer 17

A collective that consists of seven health organizations, including AST, that promote excellence in surgical patient safety.

Question 18

Emergency Services Advanced Registry for Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP):

Answer 18

A federal program created to support states and territories in establishing standardized volunteer registration programs for disasters and public health and medical emergencies. By registering through ESAR-VHP, volunteers’ identities, licenses, credentials, accreditations, and hospital privileges are all verified in advance, saving valuable time in emergency situations.

Question 19

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

Answer 19

The agency of the U.S. government charged with protecting human health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress.

Question 20

Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

Answer 20

The agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services responsible for promoting public health through the regulation of food safety, tobacco products, medications, blood transfusions, medical devices, and cosmetics.

Question 21

Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA):

Answer 21

An organization that supports sterile processing personnel.

Question 22

The Joint Commission (TJC):

Answer 22

An independent national organization that develops standards and accredits healthcare organizations in the United States. TJC defines the surgical technologist in its Lexikon: Dictionary of Health Care Terms, Organizations, and Acronyms for the Era of Reform as “an allied health professional who works closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses (RNs), and other surgical personnel delivering patient care and assuming appropriate responsibilities before, during, and after surgery.”

Question 23

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC):

Answer 23

A national network of volunteers organized locally to improve the health and safety of their communities. The MRC network consists of community-based units and volunteers located throughout the United States and its territories. Volunteers include medical and public health professionals as well as other community members who do not have a healthcare background.

Question 24

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

Answer 24

A nonprofit organization focused on reducing fire hazards and dedicated to establishing consensus fire safety codes and standards.

Question 25

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH):

Answer 25

The agency within the CDC that conducts research and makes recommendations to prevent work-related injury and illness.

Question 26

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):

Answer 26

The agency of the Department of Labor dedicated to preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and occupational fatalities by issuing and enforcing standards for workplace safety and health.

Question 27

World Health Organization (WHO):

Answer 27

The directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations (UN) system, it is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries, and monitoring and assessing health trends.