Hospitals providing high-quality surgical care for older adults soon will have a new way to demonstrate their commitment to patient safety and quality. The ACS and The Leapfrog Group announced the Recognized Leader in Geriatric Surgery designation, a national recognition program that identifies hospitals meeting rigorous standards for the care of older surgical patients. Hospitals will be eligible to earn the designation beginning in 2027.
As the US population continues to age and more older adults undergo surgical procedures, the program is designed to help patients, caregivers, employers, health plans, and other healthcare purchasers identify hospitals equipped to meet the unique needs of this growing patient population.
The designation combines evidence-based standards from the ACS Geriatric Surgery Verification (GSV) Program with patient safety measures from the Leapfrog Hospital Survey and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade.
To qualify, hospitals must participate in the ACS GSV Program, earn an A or B Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, and demonstrate strong performance on key patient safety measures assessed through the Leapfrog Hospital Survey. These measures include computerized prescriber order entry, barcode medication administration, medication reconciliation, and the use of safe surgery checklists.
The ACS GSV Program helps hospitals improve surgical care for older adults by implementing evidence-based practices that address the medical, functional, and social needs of aging patients. Participating hospitals adopt approaches such as comprehensive geriatric assessments, medication reviews, mobility programs, and discharge planning to reduce complications and support recovery after surgery.
“Older adults face higher risks when undergoing surgery, and factors like frailty can significantly increase the likelihood of complications. They benefit greatly from shared decision-making and care designed specifically for their goals,” said Clifford Y. Ko, MD, MS, MSHS, FACS, Senior Vice President of the ACS Division of Research and Optimal Patient Care. “By working with The Leapfrog Group, we can recognize hospitals that are meeting rigorous standards and advancing surgical care for older patients.”
The Leapfrog Hospital Survey and Hospital Safety Grade complement the GSV standards by evaluating hospitals using nationally recognized measures of patient safety and quality.
“The Recognized Leader program highlights hospitals that are going the extra mile to protect older patients facing higher surgical risks,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Together we will help guide patients and families, as well as employers and health plans, toward the best care.”
The new designation builds on Leapfrog’s existing Recognized Leader program, which first recognized hospitals providing high-quality care for patients with diabetes.
Additional information, including a webinar recording that provides an overview of the Recognized Leader in Geriatric Surgery program, is available on facs.org.
