Implementation of an integrated peri-operative quality management program at the Ottawa Hospital

The 2004 Canadian Adverse Events Study estimated up to 23,750 potentially preventable in-hospital deaths occur annually; 51.4% of adverse events occurred with surgical care delivery. An integrated peri-operative quality management program has been implemented at The Ottawa Hospital using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). Using root cause analysis within a Plan-Do-Study-Act process improvement cycle, NSQIP will lead to improved peri-operative outcomes at the largest Canadian academic healthcare organization.