ACS Urges Hospitals to Enroll in National Program to Implement Enhanced Recovery Pathways
CHICAGO (December 19, 2018): The American College of Surgeons today issued a national call for interested hospitals to join the third cohort of the AHRQ ISCR program.
[AHRQ program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery (ISCR)]
ACS Recently Released Four New Checklists for its Strong for Surgery Program
CHICAGO (November 29, 2018):
Strong for Surgery program provides four new tools to help surgical teams improve outcomes for their patients in the form of screening checklists.
[Strong for Surgery Quality Program]
Montreal Surgeon Gerald M. Fried, MD, FACS, FRCSC, Elected Chair of the ACS Board of Regents
CHICAGO (November 26, 2018): Dr. Fried was elected Chair during the College’s annual Clinical Congress in Boston, MA, last month.
Recommendations to Reduce Firearm Injury, Death, and Disability Released by ACS Workgroup
CHICAGO (November 14, 2018): ACS Committee on Trauma Firearm Strategy Team Workgroup released initial set of recommendations to make firearm ownership safer for all Americans.
ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators Admits Inaugural Class into Membership
CHICAGO (November 7, 2018): The new American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators admitted its inaugural class of 91 surgeons from seven countries on October 3.
ACS NSQIP Recognizes 83 Participating Hospitals for Achieving Meritorious Outcomes
CHICAGO (October 31, 2018): The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP®) has recognized 83 of an eligible 568 hospitals participating in its adult program for achieving meritorious outcomes for surgical patient care in 2017. ACS NSQIP-participating hospitals are required to track the outcomes of inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures and then analyze their results. These results direct patient safety initiatives within the hospital and impact the quality of surgical care delivered to patients.
[ACS NSQIP® Quality Program]
ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Demonstrates a Sustained Benefit on Colorectal Surgical Outcomes
BOSTON (Wednesday, October 24, 2018; 6:00 pm EDT): Most complications of colorectal resection procedures steadily decreased and the number of early hospital discharges increased based on a review of 10 years of data in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP®) according to study results presented at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2018.
ACS Honors Five Members with Surgical Humanitarian and Volunteerism Awards
BOSTON (Wednesday, October 24, 2018; 12:01 am EDT): Last night, five surgeons received the 2018 American College of Surgeons (ACS)/Pfizer Surgical Humanitarian Awards and Surgical Volunteerism Awards in recognition of their selfless efforts as volunteer surgeons who provide care to medically underserved patients.
Trauma Researchers Identify Common Characteristics of Communities Where Mass Shootings Occur
BOSTON (Tuesday October 23, 2018; 6:00 pm EDT): A trauma research team has developed a profile of commonalities among communities where mass shootings have occurred. It includes a shortage of mental health professionals, a relative lack of socialization opportunities, higher rates of income inequality, and relatively high housing costs, according to findings presented today at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2018.
First Study of Its Kind Identifies County-Level Differences in Pediatric Mortality after Motor Vehicle Collisions
BOSTON (Tuesday, October 23, 2018; 2:30 pm EDT):: A child seriously injured in a motor vehicle collision may not have the same chance of survival as one injured in a different state, or even a neighboring county, where there is a closer proximity to available trauma centers and quicker emergency response times, according to new research findings.
A Method of Multimodal Pain Control is Effective for Outpatient Mastectomy and Minimizes the Need for Postoperative Opioid Use
BOSTON (Tuesday, October 23, 2018; 2:30 pm EDT): A practice-changing pain control protocol developed by a cancer surgeon at the University Medical Center–New Orleans is a safe and effective method to alleviate pain for mastectomy patients, allowing them to be discharged to home the same day of surgery, while also reducing the need for stronger opioids during their recovery, according to new research findings presented at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2018.
A 2015 Guideline Recommending Removal of Only Half the Thyroid Gland Grows in Use, Benefits Patients with Thyroid Cancer
BOSTON (Monday,October 22, 2018; 6:00 pm EDT): Thyroid cancer is the most rapidly increasing cancer in the United States, with around 63,000 new cases diagnosed annually and more than 600,000 Americans living with a previous diagnosis, the American Cancer Society reports.* Traditionally, the vast majority of these patients undergo complete removal of the thyroid gland—known as a total thyroidectomy—to treat their cancer rather than the less invasive hemithyroidectomy, which involves removal of half of the gland. However, since 2015 the number of patients undergoing a hemithyroidectomy has increased significantly among a large group of hospitals participating in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP®). This shift to less invasive surgical treatment is most likely due in part to a leading medical society in the field revising its clinical guidelines that elevated hemithyroidectomy to an equal status with complete removal of the gland, according to study results presented at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2018.
Majority of U.S. Humanitarian Surgical NGOs Follow Guideline-Based Practices in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
BOSTON (Monday, October 22, 2018; 5:30 pm EDT): Although there are many U.S.-based surgical organizations providing urgently needed care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), knowledge of whether these groups are adhering to a U.S. standard of care is noticeably lacking. In one of the first studies to investigate guideline-based practices that U.S. humanitarian surgical non-governmental organizations (NGOs) adhere to, or deviate from, researchers from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, N.J., surveyed 83 U.S.-based NGOs and found that the majority of these groups adhere to U.S. protocols when providing care abroad.
Patients who Undergo Major Operations without Opioids Have Shorter Hospital Stays
BOSTON (Monday, October 22, 2018; 4:00 pm EDT): Opioids have been a mainstay of pain control for patients who undergo major operations, but they can become addictive for some patients, and unused pills have been identified as a major source of pills supplying the opioid epidemic.
Liver Transplant Patients Gain Longer-Term Survival Benefits by Accepting Organs from Older Donors
BOSTON (Monday, October 22, 2018; 4:00 pm EDT): Patients with advanced liver disease who accept liver transplants donated by people over age 70 reduce their long-term risk of death significantly compared with similar patients who decline the same offer.
Poor Access to a Trauma Center Linked to Higher Prehospital Death Rates in More Than Half of U.S. States
BOSTON (Monday, October 22, 2018; 1:00 pm EDT): States with poor access to a comprehensive trauma center have more deaths occurring before injured patients’ arrival at a hospital, compared with states that have better access. Furthermore, this frequency of prehospital deaths contributes to higher overall trauma-related mortality, according to new research findings presented today at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2018.
Seattle Surgeon Ronald V. Maier, MD, FACS, Installed as New President of the American College of Surgeons
BOSTON (Monday, October 22, 2018; 1:00 am EDT): Ronald V. Maier, MD, FACS, the Jane and Donald D. Trunkey Endowed Chair in Trauma Surgery, vice-chairman, department of surgery, and professor of surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, was installed as the 99th President of the American College of Surgeons
Honorary Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons is Awarded to 12 Prominent Surgeons
BOSTON (Monday, October 22, 2018; 12:01 am EDT): Last night Honorary Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons (ACS) was awarded to 12 prominent surgeons from around the world at the Boston Convention Center.
Honolulu Surgeon Yeu-Tsu Margaret Lee, MD, FACS, Honored for Inspiring Women in Surgery
BOSTON (Monday October 22, 2018; 12:01 am EDT): Yeu-Tsu Margaret Lee, MD, FACS, received the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Inspiring Women in Surgery Award last night during the Convocation ceremony that preceded the opening of the College's 2018 Clinical Congress. Dr. Lee, a general surgeon and surgical oncologist, is clinical professor of surgery, University of Hawaii Medical School, Honolulu, Hawaii. The award was developed by the ACS Women in Surgery Committee (WiSC) and recognizes significant contributions to the advancement of women in the field of surgery.
New York City Surgeon Valerie W. Rusch, MD, FACS, Honored with 2018 Distinguished Service Award of the American College of Surgeons
BOSTON (Sunday, October 21, 11:00 p.m. EDT): Valerie W. Rusch, MD, FACS, a thoracic surgeon from New York City, received the 2018 Distinguished Service Award of the American College of Surgeons last night during the Convocation ceremony that preceded the opening of the College’s 2018 Clinical Congress, one of the largest international meetings of surgeons in the world.
American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress Convenes in Boston Next Week
CHICAGO (October 18, 2018): The ACS Clinical Congress 2018, one of the largest international meetings of surgeons in the world, convenes in Boston next week, October 21–25.
Post-Treatment Surveillance Frequency Not Related to Improved Lung Cancer Patient Survival
CHICAGO (October 4, 2018): Study findings sourced by the National Cancer Database and published in Annals of Surgery also do not show that more frequent surveillance improved survival following lung cancer recurrence.
Heidi Nelson, MD, FACS, is Named Medical Director of ACS Cancer Programs
CHICAGO (September 24, 2018): Dr. Nelson, a colorectal surgeon from Rochester, Minn., is known for her research on improving the quality of life for cancer patients.
Second Volume of Operative Standards for Cancer Surgery Manual Presents Evidence-Based Recommendations for Five New Disease Sites
CHICAGO (August 28, 2018): The second volume of Operative Standards for Cancer Surgery, a collaborative manual from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, is now available for print and electronic purchase.
Global Surgeons Provide Value Through Innovation, Professionalism, and Education
CHICAGO (August 20, 2018): A position statement from three global surgery groups advocates for academic health centers supporting the work of global surgeons.
Reducing Opioid Prescriptions for One Operation Can Have a Spillover Effect to Other Procedures
CHICAGO (July 26, 2018): Study results show revised recommendations resulted in about 17 fewer pills being dispensed per patient for four major operations.
ACS Hosts Capitol Hill Briefing on Combat Casualty Care
WASHINGTON, DC (July 23, 2018): The American College of Surgeons (ACS) hosted a Capitol Hill briefing earlier today featuring a panel of experts on military surgical care.
Two Quality Improvement Programs Lead to Fewer Postoperative Complications for Surgical Patients
ORLANDO (July 23, 2018): Two presurgery checklists from the American College of Surgeons Strong for Surgery program that incorporate best practices for engaging patients in preparing for their upcoming operations significantly improved lifestyle factors that pose an increased risk for postoperative complications or help support healing and postoperative recovery.
[Strong for Surgery Quality Program]
Hip Fracture Patients Recover from Operations Faster with an Enhanced Care Recovery Program
ORLANDO (July 23, 2018): The use of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) approach for hip fracture operations allows patients to return home faster and get back to normal activities sooner, according to new findings presented today by researchers at the American College of Surgeons 2018 Quality and Safety Conference
[ACS NSQIP® data study]
Accredited Bariatric Surgery Center Reduces Postoperative Complications Despite Nearly Doubling its Surgical Volume
ORLANDO (July 23, 2018): An academic medical center’s weight-loss surgery program greatly lowered its rates of several postoperative complications, including rehospitalization in the first month, surgical site and urinary tract infections, and bleeding, despite almost doubling its surgical volume over five years.
[MBSAQIP® Quality Program]
Patients with Right-Sided Colon Cancer Have Poorer Survival Rates than Those with Left-Sided Disease
ORLANDO (July 23, 2018): Patients with colorectal cancer tumors on the right side may have poorer five-year survival rates than those whose tumors are located on the left side. However, a new large-scale retrospective study is the first to demonstrate a potential improvement of these outcomes.
[National Cancer Database (NCDB) data study]
Pilot Program Improves Staff Confidence in Dealing with Airway Emergencies
ORLANDO (July 23, 2018): A patient safety team has restructured their protocols for treating airway failure in such a way that the change has measurably improved staff confidence to handle airway emergencies and can serve as a model for other health systems.
American College of Surgeons Comments on Children and U.S. Immigration Policy
CHICAGO (June 19, 2018): The leadership of the American College of Surgeons calls for immediate change to the current method of enforcement of U.S. immigration policy that separates children from their parents at our nation's borders.
ACS and Rep. Mike Thompson Host Stop the Bleed Training Session for Congressional Staff
WASHINGTON, DC (June 18, 2018): Capitol Hill staff learn bleeding control techniques from Fellows of the American College of Surgeons and are now better equipped to save a life
16 Cancer Care Facilities Receive CoC Outstanding Achievement Award
CHICAGO (June 14, 2018): Biannual Outstanding Achievement Award is granted to accredited cancer programs that exceed compliance expectations of the CoC standards.
Surgical Oncologist Dr. Steven Rosenberg Receives the 2018 Jacobson Innovation Award
CHICAGO (June 11, 2018): Steven A. Rosenberg, MD, PhD, was honored for his role in in developing effective immunotherapies and gene therapies for patients with advanced cancers.
Most Surgical Residents Want Personal Financial Education Offered During Medical Training
CHICAGO (May 31, 2018): Close to 80 percent of resident respondents to one online survey said they think personal financial education is needed during residency.
Military-Civilian Partnerships Aim to Help Meet Military Medical Readiness Needs
CHICAGO (May 23, 2018): A growing partnership between the MHS and civilian trauma institutions will create, for the first time, a fully integrated military-civilian trauma system.
San Francisco-Area Cancer Program is First in the U.S. to Earn Accreditation from NAPRC
CHICAGO (May 22, 2018): John Muir Health’s Rectal Cancer Program was granted a three-year accreditation from the new ACS-administered accreditation program.
[Commission on Cancer Quality Program]
National Cancer Database-Sourced Study Results Focus on Post-Treatment Surveillance
CHICAGO (May 22, 2018): The first findings from a collaborative study within ACS Cancer Programs were published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
[National Cancer Database (NCDB) data study]
Safety Program for Surgical Patients Sharply Drops Surgical Site Infections
CHICAGO (May 18, 2018): Hawaii statewide collaborative for surgical patient safety successfully reduces colorectal surgical site infections and improves patient safety culture.
Save the Date: ACS Clinical Congress Convenes in Boston, October 21-25, 2018
CHICAGO (April 30, 2018): The College’s annual conference will include hundreds of scientific sessions and courses for today’s practicing surgeon.
ACS Advocates a Consensus Strategy to Prevent Injury, Disability, and Death from Firearms
CHICAGO (April 19, 2018): Injury prevention strategy developed by Committee on Trauma seeks to bridge political differences and provide a constructive path forward.
[Committee on Trauma Quality Program]
Save the Date: ACS Quality and Safety Conference Convenes in Orlando, July 21-24, 2018
CHICAGO (April 13, 2018): National conference will provide a professional forum on the most recent national and local quality and safety initiatives in the field of surgery
Tourniquet Practice Adopted from the Military Saves Lives and Limbs in Civilians
CHICAGO (April 4, 2018): New study results demonstrate that the use of tourniquets improves survival in civilian trauma victims.
March 31 Is Our Nation’s First Ever National Stop the Bleed Day
CHICAGO (March 28, 2018): The first ever National Stop the Bleed Day will feature training courses around the country to teach bleeding control techniques to the general public.
New Accreditation Program Sets Framework for Rectal Cancer Care in the U.S.
CHICAGO (March 23, 2018): National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer establishes guidelines for a multidisciplinary team approach to help meet its proposed quality measures.
[NAPRC Quality Program]
Burn Specialists Report a Dramatic Increase in Burn Injury Survival Over the Past 30 Years
CHICAGO (March 9, 2018): Advances in burn treatment are associated with reduced mortality rates in people who sustain life-threatening burns, according to Journal of the American College of Surgeons study findings.
Surgeon Scientists Losing Ground to Other Medical Researchers for NIH Funding
CHICAGO (March 5, 2018): Surgeons are less successful in obtaining NIH grants, however the publication impact of surgical research increased about 25 percent over the study period.
ACS Applauds U.S. House of Representatives for Passing the Mission Zero Act (H.R. 880)
WASHINGTON, DC (February 27, 2018): ACS-supported legislation establishes a grant program to assist civilian trauma centers in partnering with military trauma professionals.
Safety-Net Hospital Reports It Achieved Better Esophagectomy Outcomes than National Cohort
CHICAGO (February 20, 2018): Standardized clinical pathway helped ‘hospital of last resort’ achieve consistently superior outcomes for an esophageal procedure.
[ACS NSQIP® data study]
Medicaid Expansion in Kentucky Improves Breast Cancer Care for Women 20 to 64 Years Old
CHICAGO (February 12, 2018): Kentucky researchers report rates of diagnosis of early stage disease and utilization of less invasive operations have increased since 2014.
ACS Commends Congress for Key Physician and Patient Issues in Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018
WASHINGTON, DC (February 9, 2018): ACS commends Congress for the enactment of key legislative priorities that will improve the quality of care for surgical patients.
An Enhanced Recovery Program Reduced Total Hospital Costs and Improved Patient Outcomes
CHICAGO (February 5, 2018): A standardized protocol for managing colorectal surgical patients improved clinical outcomes and reduced overall hospital costs.
[AHRQ Safety Program for ISCR Quality Program]
Patients Who Achieve Short-Term Weight Loss Before Bariatric Surgery Have Better Outcomes
CHICAGO (February 2, 2018): Patients who lose some excess weight prior to weight loss surgery achieve greater weight loss after surgery.
Postoperative Wound Monitoring App Can Reduce Readmissions and Improve Patient Care
CHICAGO (January 19, 2018): A new smartphone app called WoundCare is successfully enabling patients to remotely send images of their surgical wounds for monitoring by nurses.
Patient Education Brochure Provides Low-Cost Solution to Avoid Diversion of Unused Opioids
CHICAGO (January 11, 2018): Surgical patients are twice as likely to throw out leftover pain medication when informed of appropriate methods for disposal.