Starting in July 2011, 95 panelists spoke at 11 forums about how to best improve quality of care while keeping costs down. Six overarching lessons were identified:
1. Quality improvement is the future of medicine, as cost savings can be realized through lower complication rates.
2. Quality is measurable, complication rates can be reduced by focusing on outcomes.
3. High-quality data is essential for quality improvement.
4. Quality thrives in a supportive environment, and quality is highest when every team member feels responsible for the patient’s safety.
5. Collaboration spurs innovation and higher quality, from national partnerships to health systems sharing data and best practices.
6. Surgeons must lead on quality, from leading in the operating room and training the next generation of surgeons, to advising policymakers on healthcare initiatives.
More Articles on Surgical Quality:
Study: 83% of National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Participants Decreased Complication Rates
Study: Fast Tracking Pediatric Congenital Heart Surgery Patients Saves Time, Money
Using Evidence-Based Decisions to Support Gut Calls in the OR: Introduction to Case-Based Reasoning
