NSQIP Impacts Patient Experience

National Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP) semiannual reports (SARs) revealed high observed to expected ratios for venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) on the surgical service. Press Ganey scores identified an area of particular weakness in shared decision-making in patient care. Patients reported little to no participation in shared decision-making. A performance improvement project was developed with a 2-fold objective: decrease the percentages of patients sustaining VTE through adequate screening and prophylaxis (VTEP) and to engage patients in shared decision-making to accept VTEP through enhanced patient-centered discussions and education on the risks and benefits of VTEP. A clinical pathway was developed to implement VTEP using a standardized risk assessment tool. Patient-centered discussion introduced VTEP and impact on perioperative safety. Results included telephone survey, NSQIP SARs, and Press Ganey patient experience survey. Using NSQIP data and a pathway developed for both VTE risk assessment and patient engagement, the authors observe immediate improvements in patient experience and decreased rates of VTE.