Geriatric Surgery Verification Program Standards

The Geriatric Surgery Verification Program (GSV) is pleased to present our program standards, Optimal Resources for Geriatric Surgery. Applications are being accepted for enrollment in the GSV Program. 

These standards detail the principles regarding resource standards, quality improvement and safety processes, data collection, and a verification process. The program evaluates the care, aligned to the standards and expected scope of practice at each institution. A PDF is available for download. 

Development of the GSV Standards

The development of the GSV Standards was made possible in part by the generous support of The John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF).

• Literature
  • ACS Coalition for Quality in Geriatric Surgery (CQGS)
  • Extensive literature review: 308 preliminary standards on aspects of care important for older adults undergoing surgery
• Expert Input
  • 50+ stakeholder organizations (representing patients & families, advocacy/regulatory groups, health professionals, medical/ surgical specialties)
  • Review of preliminary standards for validity and feasibility: 92 alpha standards
• Iterative Testing
  • Alpha Pilot: Review by 15 hospitals to assess perceived difficulty and standards already widely practiced: 33 beta standards
  • Beta Pilot: Implementation pilot of beta standards (8 hospitals) to assess feasibility
  • GSV Standards: Iterative refinement: 30 required GSV standards

Learn more about the history of the GSV Program.

Additional Resources

Quick Reference Guide

Contact Us

Questions regarding the standards presented in Optimal Resources for Geriatric Surgery should be submitted to geriatricsurgery@facs.org.