What is the Coalition for Quality in Geriatric Surgery?

The Coalition for Quality in Geriatric Surgery, a project supported by the American College of Surgeons and the John A. Hartford Foundation, aims to systematically improve the surgical care of older adults by establishing a verifiable quality improvement program with standards based on best evidence focused on what matters most to the individual patient.

Why Now?

We believe there is a critical need for safe, high-quality, patient-centered surgical care for older adults.  Aging surgical patients have unique physiological needs, social needs and unique goals of care.  We formed the Coalition to help hospitals meet these rising needs by setting and verifying interdisciplinary standards and developing outcome measures that matter to older patients, families and caregivers. 

How Will We Improve Surgery for Older Adults?

In collaboration with our 50+ stakeholder organizations, we will set the standards, develop measures that matter, educate providers and patients, and create awareness about the surgical needs of older adults at all hospitals through the program.  The geriatric surgery program, set to launch in 2019, will use the four principles of continuous quality improvement: set standards, define the right infrastructure, collect rigorous data, and verify.  The program will not only improve perioperative care, but also the full cycle of care for older adults.