Optimizing Resources in Children's Surgical Care: An Update on the American College of Surgeons' Verification Program

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Surgical care delivery in the U.S. varies significantly, impacting clinical outcomes.
• A multidisciplinary Task Force for Children's Surgical Care was formed in 2012 to address these variations.
• The task force aimed to optimize pediatric perioperative care through expert consensus.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on the evolution and status of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Children's Surgery Verification Quality Improvement Program.
• To highlight the development and implementation of standards for improving children's surgical care.
• To provide an update on the ongoing development of this quality improvement initiative.

Main Methods:

• Development of resource and quality standards by the ACS, Children's Hospital Association, and the Task Force for Children's Surgical Care.
• Endorsement by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Establishment and completion of a pilot verification program by the ACS in 2015.
• Official launch of the ACS Children's Surgery Verification Quality Improvement Program in January 2017.

Main Results:

• Over 150 children's surgery centers have expressed interest in verification.
• Verified sites are listed on the ACS program website.
• The program continues to evolve, indicating ongoing commitment to quality improvement.

Conclusions:

• The ACS Children's Surgery Verification Quality Improvement Program represents a significant effort to standardize and enhance pediatric surgical care.
• The program's growth and continued evolution suggest a positive impact on the quality of care for children undergoing surgery.
• The initiative provides a framework for consistent, high-quality surgical care for pediatric patients nationwide.