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Follow Up on TASS
PA PSRS Patient Saf Advis 2007 Mar;4(1):24.   
 

Toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) is a rare but serious complication of intraocular surgery that occurs when a non-infectious toxic agent enters the anterior segment of the eye and causes an inflammatory reaction. Since June 2004, ambulatory surgical facilities have submitted at least 15 reports of TASS to PA-PSRS, and at least three facilities have reported multiple cases. TASS incidence is difficult to pin-point for several reasons, including that TASS is often confused with and treated as infectious endophthalmitis. (More information on TASS is included in the December 2006 PA-PSRS Patient Safety Advisory.

“Get the Facts on Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome,” an educational program focusing on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS), is available from http://www.tassfacts.com.The educational program, which is available either upon registration at the program’s Web site or in a multimedia CD format, also includes discussion about TASS etiology, accounts of TASS cases, steps for proper care and treatment of surgical instruments, special considerations for sterilizers, and best practices for education and prevention.

 
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THE PENNSYLVANIA PATIENT SAFETY AUTHORITY AND ITS CONTRACTORS  
PSA LOGO The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority is an independent state agency created by Act 13 of 2002, the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (“Mcare”) Act. Consistent with Act 13, ECRI Institute, as contractor for the Authority, is issuing this publication to advise medical facilities of immediate changes that can be instituted to reduce Serious Events and Incidents. For more information about the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, see the Authority’s Web site at www.patientsafetyauthority.org .      
ECRI LOGO ECRI Institute, a nonprofit organization, dedicates itself to bringing the discipline of applied scientific research in healthcare to uncover the best approaches to improving patient care. As pioneers in this science for nearly 40 years, ECRI Institute marries experience and independence with the objectivity of evidence-based research. More than 5,000 healthcare organizations worldwide rely on ECRI Institute’s expertise in patient safety improvement, risk and quality management, and healthcare processes, devices, procedures and drug technology.      

ISMP Logo The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated solely to medication error prevention and safe medication use. ISMP provides recommendations for the safe use of medications to the healthcare community including healthcare professionals, government agencies, accrediting organizations, and consumers. ISMP’s efforts are built on a nonpunitive approach and systems-based solutions.      
 
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