Commentary: ACS continues to support surgeons in training and in practice

The College has continued to strengthen its Quality Programs and is attaining a high-profile reputation in this arena. For example, ACS NSQIP received the John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award for Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality at the National Level from The Joint Commission and National Quality Forum for bringing the outcomes measurement program to nearly 700 hospitals.

In addition, we launched the Coalition for Quality in Geriatric Surgery Project to improve care of older patients though a standards and verification program launched July 1 with funding from the John A. Hartford Foundation. To satisfy the needs of patients at the other end of the age spectrum, the College also continued development of the Children’s Surgery Verification Quality Improvement Program. Furthermore, through the ACS Clinical Research Program, we published the first edition of Operative Standards for Cancer Surgery.

Finally, the College is working to integrate all of our clinical registries into a common, consolidated warehouse and reporting platform. We are excited about the potential of this project and how it will help ACS members more easily report their outcomes to regulatory bodies, measure their performance, and, most importantly, improve the quality of patient care.

Clearly, the College provides positive support to surgeons in training and in practice. As always, I welcome your suggestions regarding how we can better meet your needs and help you provide surgical care of the highest standards to your patients.

Dr. Hoyt is the Executive Director of the American College of Surgeons.