Mission

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), formerly the Office of Evidence-Based Surgery, promotes the highest standards of surgical care through evaluation of surgical outcomes in clinical practice. CQI provides the infrastructure for conducting health services research and clinical research, outcome studies, meta-analyses, research hypothesis generation, and the development of evidence based practice guidelines at the College. This area also collaborates with the Divisions of Education and Advocacy and Health Policy to provide educational programs and promote public policy initiatives in clinical research and forms partnerships with outside groups and organizations involved in evaluation of surgical outcomes. 

  CQI Background

This section contains information about the evolution CQI has taken, the committees staffed by CQI, and CQI staff contact information.

  Accreditation Programs

The American College of Surgeons has a long and successful history in the development of accreditation and verification programs to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient. In the College’s latest efforts, CQI has taken responsibility for the implementation and management of the Bariatric Surgery Center Network Accreditation Program and is in the process of developing additional centers.

  Clinical Trials and Health Services Research

CQI encourages surgeons to participate in clinical trials through collaboration with the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG). Additionally, CQI oversees a variety of research grants in both clinical trials and health service research.

  Educational Activities

CQI supports three courses focused on preparing and encouraging surgeons to dedicate a portion of their professional efforts towards basic, clinical and health services research. These courses are titled: Clinical Trials Methods, Outcomes Research, and Young Surgical Investigators Conference.

• Speaker Presentations from the 2006 Young Surgical Investigations Conference that contain information about grant writing strategies, funding options, advice on obtaining funding, available resources, and the structure and programs of the National Institute of Health.

  ACS Outcomes Databases

The Division of Research and Optimal Patient Care encompasses three areas including Trauma, Cancer, and CQI. Each area has dedicated major resources toward the measurement of outcomes with the Trauma Department housing the National Trauma DataBank (NTDB), the Cancer Department housing the National Cancer Database (NCDB) and CQI being responsible for the American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program (ACS/NSQIP).

  Resources

A variety of resources are provided to help visitors stay on top of current issues related to surgical care as well as numerous links to surgically related sites in areas like clinical trials, evidence-based medicine, and medical organizations focused on quality. A database containing information about ongoing surgical research is also provided (Research Awards Database).

Revised May 1, 2006

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by the American College of Surgeons, Chicago, IL 60611-3211