Frequently Asked Questions about Clinical Data Strategy

The ACS has entered into an agreement with Epic that will reduce the burden of data collection by leveraging Epic’s Community Registry platform. We plan to pilot the ACS Digital Registry product in 2026 and make it available for adoption in early 2027. This marks the first phase of the ACS’s multiyear Clinical Data Strategy, which includes collaborating with multiple technology partners to support Surgical Quality Partner hospitals and enhance their ability to effectively use clinical data for quality improvement and promoting patient-centered care.

This FAQ will be updated to respond to inquiries the Data Strategy Team receives. Please be sure to check back for the latest on the Clinical Data Strategy.

Why is the ACS changing how patient data is collected for its registries?

The ACS believes in the power of high-quality clinical data to support ACS Surgical Quality Partner hospitals’ quality improvement efforts, improving the quality of care for patients.
Technological advances now allow us to streamline and automate data collection processes which will save time and free up hospital resources to focus on higher value tasks.
By automating data collection, hospitals will be able to capture significantly more patient clinical data in near real-time, rather than just a sampling as is the current practice.
The new data strategy will lead to improved accuracy of captured data and strengthen hospital quality improvement efforts.

Which ACS registries are included in the Clinical Data Strategy?

The ACS will ultimately address all ACS registries in the strategy, but work is initially beginning with the ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP), NSQIP Pediatric, and the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) registry.

Will Surgical Specialty Reports be included in the Clinical Data Strategy?

Yes, the early adopter sites will focus on expanding support for the targets and specialties from the current and planned registries.

What specific benefits will the Clinical Data Strategy achieve?

Accurate, clinically meaningful data will be collected faster and more cost effectively.
The ACS will have the ability to create a more complete set of patient records for analysis, improving on the current sampling practices to capture all surgeries, regardless of whether participating sites are doing additional sampling.
More data variables per case like medications and protocol compliance will be collected.
Users will be able to transition from retrospective reporting to real-time insights, predictive analytics, and AI-powered decision support.

How will the role of data abstractors change with the new strategy?

The role of the clinical abstractor will evolve. As automation takes on more of the repetitive, highly structured tasks, abstractors can shift their focus to areas that require their specially trained critical thinking, clinical judgment, and expertise—especially where data is complex or less easily standardized. This transition will elevate the abstractor’s role in ensuring data quality, context, integrity to improve surgical quality.

Will data still be risk-adjusted, and will hospitals still have access to the risk calculator?

Yes, these and other benefits hospitals value and expect will be enhanced with this new strategy.

Why is the ACS working with Epic as part of its Clinical Data Strategy?

Epic is used by approximately 70 percent of Surgical Quality Partner hospitals. Epic’s Community Registries Platform will make it possible for the ACS to receive data directly from Epic for our registries. The ACS will pilot its Digital Registry product with a limited number of hospitals in 2026, and it will be available for adoption in 2027.

What if our hospital does not use Epic?

The ACS will be working with multiple technology companies as part of the multiyear Clinical Data Strategy.

Will the ACS be using artificial intelligence and other technologies?

Yes, the ACS will be employing many technological advances including various types of artificial intelligence, including natural language processing, machine learning, and others.

When will the ACS begin work on the Clinical Data Strategy? What is the timeline?

Work is well underway and will continue into 2026.

Pilot sites will be selected in 2026, and the product will be available for wider adoption in early 2027.

Even after launch, updates will occur as technological advancements continue.

How can my hospital and quality team get involved?

If you would like to receive regular updates about the project, submit a question or volunteer your hospital as a potential pilot site, fill out our form. You can also email us at clinicaldata@facs.org.

How will data privacy and security be handled?

All data will continue to be handled in full compliance with HIPAA and other privacy rules. Data security is a top priority and will be ensured by utilizing robust encryption and access controls.