quality improvement

The SVS PSO encourages centers to submit quality improvement charters on projects using SVS VQI data.  This process has helped the SVS PSO identify groups working on similar initiatives and facilitate networking opportunities. All members are encouraged to participate in focused group calls whether or not they have a charter.  As the projects reach completion, the SVS PSO will aggregate data and share best practices with the full VQI membership.

The SVS PSO also provides resources to assist SVS VQI centers with their QI projects:

• QI Project Guide and National Initiative Supplement:  These booklets provide the foundation and step-by-step guidance to begin and complete a QI project. The QI Project Guide is designed to assist centers that are just beginning a QI project but may be useful at any stage of the QI process. Subsequently, the SVS PSO created a National Initiative Supplement which focused on the progress with the two national QI priorities: Optimal Discharge Medications for Vascular Patients and Endovascular AAA Long-Term Follow-Up with Imaging. (Available on Members Only area of the VQI Website)
• The “Members Only” area of the SVS VQI website offers access to national QI materials, including presentations and videos, as well as a QI discussion forum to encourage interaction among centers.
• National and regional meetings and quarterly calls help VQI data managers share best practices and QI project ideas. Find your region to see details.

quality improvement Tools

The SVS PSO, together with Fivos, develops quality improvement (QI) tools to assist VQI members and other vascular specialists, quality improvement  staff and hospital administrators with their own vascular quality programs.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROCESS

The QI process includes development of a QI project charter through to implementation, and a typical project timeline is shown below:

national QI Initiatives

Experienced SVS VQI centers have applied registry data and implemented innovative approaches to improve success rates for the current national quality initiatives on Use of Discharge Medications and Endovascular AAA Long-term Follow-Up with Imaging.

QI Projects

SVS VQI centers work on quality improvement projects which are selected for presentation at the VQI Annual Meeting in June.

participation awards

Participation Awards began in 2016 to encourage active participation in the registries program and recognize the importance of participation. Domains recommended by the Participation Committee were endorsed by the SVS PSO Governing Council to emphasize the importance of center participation in 4 key areas. Those key areas include Long Term Follow Up (LTFU), Regional Meeting Attendance, Quality Improvement (QI) project, and Registry Subscriptions.

Quality Fellowship in Training (FIT) Program

The SVS PSO Quality Fellowship in Training (FIT) program is for residents and fellows in vascular surgery and medicine in collaboration with APDVS.