Geriatric Surgery Verification

Across the US, the senior population are the fastest-growing segment of patients. These cases bring added complexities that make the delivery of optimal care more challenging for hospitals.

To address these challenges, with support from The John A. Hartford Foundation, the American College of Surgeons developed the Geriatric Surgery Verification (GSV) Program, which aims to optimize surgical care for older adult patients. Through a program that is grounded in evidence-based standards, hospitals can confidently address the most important aspects of care and create plans to help patients achieve their care goals and hospitals to use their limited resources more effectively and efficiently.

Hospitals that participate in one of our Quality Programs, including the GSV Program, earn the distinction as an ACS Surgical Quality Partner (SQP).

New CMS Age Friendly Hospital Measure

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a new Age Friendly Hospital Measure based on work by the ACS and designed to improve the care and outcomes of older adult patients. All hospitals participating in the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program must report on their compliance with the measure beginning in 2025 and could face significant financial penalties if they fail to do so. The ACS is offering a new level of the GSV program specifically tailored to address the five domains included in the measure to help hospitals comply with this new regulation and improve the care of older adult patients. Review our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the measure.

Get Started with GSV Today

Fill out our GSV Interest Form to connect with GSV staff to learn how the ACS can assist your hospital in complying. The ACS GSV program hosted a webinar to explain the new CMS Age Friendly Measure and answer questions about how the GSV program can help hospitals prepare to meet this new regulatory requirement beginning in January 2025.

Connect with GSV Access the Webinar

28%

Elderly patient readmittance rate

>40%

Of inpatient surgery recipients are older adults

$150B

Estimated annual cost of delirium in the US

Apply for GSV

Why Is the GSV Program Important?

Specialized care through a dedicated program means elderly patients can maintain independence and quality of life after surgery. The GSV Program can preserve patient wellness and function and sets patients up for success following major surgery.

Hospitals that implement the GSV Program experience proven success and improvement of common problems for elderly surgical patients. The GSV Program helps hospitals prioritize:

Reducing risk of delirium

Why this matters: The average cumulative cost per patient for treating postoperative delirium is $20,000. The risk of delirium can be significantly reduced if the proper protocols are followed.

A patient-centered approach

Why this matters: Constant communication between the patient, caregivers and the care team help ensure the patient’s needs are addressed at every step of the surgical process.

Cost savings

Why this matters: Fewer complications mean better use of resources. Implementation of the GSV Program can help prevent specific injuries, like falls, in elderly patients. A reduction in common complications means decreased hospital resource use. With the GSV Program, participating hospitals have decreased the length of stay by 1-3 days, based on an average 5-day stay.

Overcoming unique challenges

Why this matters: Dedicated team management means a return to function is prioritized for geriatric patients. GSV hospitals use multidisciplinary nursing rounding teams who focus on reducing length of stay through strategies like discharge plans and decision-making conferences.

Participating GSV Hospitals

The GSV Program verifies the standards in Optimal Resources for Geriatric Surgery have been met at participating hospitals. Find a hospital near you.

Geriatric Surgery Verification Program Standards

This document details the resource standards, quality improvement and safety processes, data collection, and verification process.

Levels of Participation

Hospitals seeking a Geriatric Surgery Verification-verified status must demonstrate all 30 GSV Program standards

Dementia and Cognitive Impairment

Geriatric Surgery Verification resources: Diagnostic Excellence of Dementia and Cognitive Impairment in the Surgical Setting.

GSV Program Resources

Resources for those interested in or participating in the ACS Geriatric Surgery Verification program.

Geriatric Surgery Patient Checklist

The patient checklist encourages open communication with your surgical care team and helps you keep track of your questions and share your goals.

Quality Resources

Quality Programs

ACS Quality Framework

The ACS Quality Framework is a set of criteria that provides guidance to help all hospitals successfully complete their quality improvement projects.

Quality Programs

Case Studies

Review case studies from various ACS quality program participants and how they can apply to your program.

Education

Quality Improvement Education

The ACS is committed to equipping every healthcare provider with the basic knowledge and skills to start on the path toward quality improvement.