Quality and patient safety in healthcare is emerging as a distinct scientific endeavor in medicine and healthcare economics. It is increasingly becoming a recognized academic discipline that can support promotion, and non-academic professional development as well as impact the business of clinical practice. Many of the methodologies used are similar to other forms of scientific research yet unique in many ways.
Quality measure development which has been a focus of the AUGS Quality Outcomes Committee for the past few years depends upon available scientific literature and evidence reviews which are currently underdeveloped in our subspecialty. It also requires science that demonstrates the feasibility, reliability and validation of new measures as required by the various endorsing bodies (NQF, CMS, etc.). Given the centrality of the concept of providing high quality, safe care to patients with pelvic floor disorders, it is important to provide a structure where research for the propose of quality improvement will be guided to help inform future decisions in the development of relevant quality measures, clinical practice and appropriate use criteria and guidelines and healthcare policy relevant to FPMRS.
The current health policy environment gives us an opportunity to develop an infrastructure to meet the needs of AUGS members who are interested in performing this type of research while enhancing the support for the work that lies ahead in the development, implementation and maintenance of relevant quality measures. The Quality Outcomes Committee believes AUGS is positioned to provide this infrastructure through the creation of a Quality Improvement & Outcomes Research Network (QI-ORN).
Read the Quality in Prolapse Surgery (QuIPS) Protocol
Read the Quality in Anti-Incontinence (QuAIlS) Protocol
Program Goals
- Engage members in research to support measure development, implementation, and maintenance by providing them with opportunities to conduct multi-center projects focused on quality outcomes and safety.
- Establish a cadre of AUGS volunteers who are quality experts.
- Establish a networking and mentoring community that supports and advances quality improvement and outcomes.
- Develop clinical evidence and validate quality outcome measures for FPMRS with the intent of meeting the National Quality Forum (NQF) measure requirements.
- Increase participation of the Pelvic Floor Disorders Registry.
Network Members
The following sites and principal investigators have been chosen to participate in the inaugural year of the QI-ORN. AUGS hopes to expand the QI-ORN to additional sites in the coming years and encourages members to participate.
Baylor Scott and White Health - Wilma Larsen
University of British Columbia - Geoffrey Cundiff
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center - Kris Strohbehn
University of Michigan - Daniel Morgan
Kaiser Permanente Orange County - Emily Whitcomb
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine - Rony Adam
Massachusetts General Hospital - Samantha Pulliam
Virginia Mason Medical Center - Blair Washington
Medical University of South Carolina - Steve Swift
Wright State University - Jerome Yaklic