Levels of Participation

There are a variety of participation options created for various hospital types. All options are designed to provide an in-depth assessment at both hospital and specialty levels, where sites will receive customized, actionable recommendations for building and improving surgical quality infrastructure through a site visit and written report. Insightful feedback will address factors beyond the typical scope of quality initiatives—including leadership, safety culture, and standardization across the five phases of care.

Levels of Participation for NSQIP Hospitals

The ACS Quality Verification Program (ACS QVP) has participation options specifically designed for ACS NSQIP hospitals and offers two participation options, ACS NSQIP QVP Focused and ACS NSQIP QVP Comprehensive Verification. Both options include:

The use of ACS NSQIP data to inform the site visit structure and guide discussion throughout the visit
Assessment of all ACS QVP standards at both the hospital- and specialty-level, as applicable
Customized, actionable recommendations for building and improving surgical quality infrastructure through a site visit and written report
Insight into factors beyond the typical scope of quality initiatives—including leadership, safety culture, and standardization across the five phases of care

It is recommended that most hospitals start with the ACS NSQIP QVP Focused Verification visit, as it will serve as a gap analysis and provide detailed feedback on how to prioritize resources and opportunities for improvement as hospitals prepare for the ACS NSQIP QVP Comprehensive Verification.

ACS NSQIP hospitals are eligible to participate in ACS NSQIP QVP Focused Verification as part of their annual NSQIP participation fee. Additional fees apply for participation in ACS NSQIP QVP Comprehensive Verification.

ACS NSQIP QVP Focused Verification

ACS NSQIP QVP Comprehensive Verification

Site Visit Structure

Site visit is approximately one half day.

Includes meetings with hospital leadership, surgery department leadership, and frontline surgeons as well as a short chart review session.

ACS NSQIP data will be reviewed to identify two surgical specialties that will participate in deep-dive sessions to evaluate specialty-specific quality processes/resources.

Site Visit Structure

Site visit is a full day (split across two days).

Includes meetings with hospital leadership, surgery department leadership, and frontline surgeons as well as a chart review session.

Includes individual meetings with each of the surgical specialties offered to evaluate specialty-specific quality processes/resources.

Required Documentation

Hospital Pre-Review Questionnaire (PRQ) with minimal documentation of processes and protocols required.

Two Surgical Specialty PRQs, one for each selected surgical specialty.

A limited number of prepared patient chart files with associated quality review documentation.

Required Documentation

Hospital Pre-Review Questionnaire (PRQ) and associated documentation of established processes/protocols.

Surgical Specialty PRQs for all surgical specialties offered at the facility

Prepared patient chart files with associated quality review documentation.

Preparation Timeline

Recommend applying at least three months prior to anticipated site visit date.

Preparation Timeline

Recommend applying at least six to 12 months* prior to anticipated site visit date.

*May be shorter timeframe if already completed ACS NSQIP QVP Focused Verification.

Levels of Participation for Non-NSQIP Hospitals

The ACS QVP is available to all hospitals and offers two participation options for non-NSQIP hospitals, ACS QVP Focused and ACS QVP Comprehensive Verification. Both options include:

Assessment of all ACS QVP standards at both the hospital and specialty level, as applicable
Customized, actionable recommendations for building and improving surgical quality infrastructure through a site visit and written report
Insight into factors beyond the typical scope of quality initiatives—including leadership, safety culture, and standardization across the five phases of care

It is recommended that most hospitals start with the ACS QVP Focused Verification option, as it will serve as a gap analysis and provide detailed feedback on how to prioritize resources and opportunities for improvement as hospitals prepare for the ACS QVP Comprehensive Verification.

ACS QVP Focused Verification

ACS QVP Comprehensive Verification

Site Visit Structure

Site visit is approximately one half day.

Includes meetings with hospital leadership, surgery department leadership, and frontline surgeons as well as a short chart review session.

Two surgical specialties will be identified for deep-dive sessions to evaluate specialty-specific quality processes/resources.

Site Visit Structure

Site visit is a full day (split across two days).

Includes meetings with hospital leadership, surgery department leadership, and frontline surgeons as well as a chart review session.

All surgical specialties offered at the hospital will participate in deep-dive sessions to evaluate specialty-specific quality processes/resources.

Required Documentation

Hospital Pre-Review Questionnaire (PRQ) with minimal documentation of processes and protocols required.

Two Surgical Specialty PRQs, one for each selected surgical specialty.

A limited number of prepared patient chart files with associated quality review documentation.

Required Documentation

Hospital Pre-Review Questionnaire (PRQ) and associated documentation of established processes/protocols.

Surgical Specialty PRQs for all surgical specialties offered at the facility

Prepared patient chart files with associated quality review documentation.

Preparation Timeline

Recommend applying at least three months prior to anticipated site visit date.

ACS QVP Comprehensive Verification

Recommend applying at least six to 12 months* prior to anticipated site visit date.

*May be shorter timeframe if already completed ACS QVP Focused Verification.