University recognized as a top hospital for surgical outcomes by national program

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) has recognized University Hospital as one of 25 ACS NSQIP participating hospitals in the United States that have achieved exemplary outcomes for surgical patient care.

As a participant in ACS NSQIP, University Hospital is required to track the outcomes of inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures and collect data that directs patient safety and the quality of surgical care improvements.

The ACS NSQIP recognition program commends a select group of hospitals for achieving exemplary outcome performances related to patient management in five clinical areas: DVT (deep vein thrombosis, thrombophlebitis and pulmonary embolism); cardiac incidents (cardiac arrest and myocardial infarction); pneumonia; SSI (surgical site infections-superficial and deep incisional and organ-space SSIs); or urinary tract infection. The 25 hospitals commended achieved the distinction of attaining exemplary results in two or more of the five areas listed above. Risk-adjusted data from the June 2009 ACS NSQIP Semiannual Report were used to determine which hospitals demonstrated exemplary outcomes.

"This recognition from the American College of Surgeons underscores University Hospital's commitment to patient safety and quality surgical care," said University Hospital CEO John McCabe, M.D. "This distinction ensures patients that they will receive the best care possible at University Hospital, and celebrates the work and dedication of our medical staff in providing this exemplary care."

ACS NSQIP is the only nationally validated quality improvement program that measures and enhances the care of surgical patients. This program measures the actual surgical results 30 days postoperatively as well as risk adjusts patient characteristics to compensate for differences among patient populations and acuity levels.

The goal of ACS NSQIP is to reduce surgical morbidity (infection or illness related to a surgical procedure) and surgical mortality (death related to a surgical procedure) and to provide a firm foundation for surgeons to apply what is known as the "best scientific evidence" to the practice of surgery. Furthermore, when adverse effects from surgical procedures are reduced and/or eliminated, a reduction in health care costs follows. ACS NSQIP is a major program of the American College of Surgeons and is currently used in over 250 hospitals.

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 74,000 members and it is the largest organization of surgeons in the world.