Rural Standards and the Quality Equation

Abstract

The article describes the barriers rural surgeons face when attempting to measure, analyze, and benchmark the quality and value of the care they provide for their patients. Examples of suboptimal care are presented as well as special geographic and resource-related circumstances for many of these disparities of care. The article includes in-depth descriptions of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality and Safety Program and the ACS Rural Hospital Surgical Verification and Quality Improvement Program. The article concludes by discussing several documented clinical, economic, and social advantages of keeping surgical care local.

Keywords: Accreditation; American College of Surgeons quality programs; NSQIP; Quality measurement; Rural surgery.