ACS Quality Verification Program Aids Hospital in Improving Collaboration and Communication

The ACS Quality Improvement Case Study Repository is a centralized platform of quality improvement projects implemented by participants of the ACS Quality Programs. Each of the curated projects in the repository has been formatted to follow the new ACS Quality Framework, allowing readers to easily understand the details of each project from planning through execution, data analysis, and lessons learned.

One such project, Building Systems for Clear Communication within Surgical Services, shows the power of the ACS Quality Verification Program (QVP) to address the need to create for forum focused on review and discussion of quality-based surgical care.

The report identifies the local problem at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, as well as the planning and development process that occurred during initial planning to implement the QVP. A Surgical Quality Officer drove the creation of a collaborative surgical quality and safety committee (SQSC) meeting that focused on increasing communication among care teams to reduce readmission rates, reduce return to OR, and increase utilization of pre and post operative protocols.

The report described the initiative of bi-monthly (and eventually monthly) hour-long meetings to discuss quality improvement initiatives across the hospital, which proved a valuable tool for care teams.

Through the sharing of CQI process improvement projects, teams were able to improve collaboration between multiple services and make real time feedback and adjustments to planning for improvement projects in process. Additional quality collaboratives have joined the SQSC meetings since initiation, proving the value of the discussions and committee.

Read more case studies that highlight the power of ACS Quality Programs to improve quality and safety at your institution.