Defining Expanded Episode-Based Surgical Quality Measurement

What measures should be used to assess and improve quality in an expanded episode-based surgical quality framework for 3 prototype procedures in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) and VA Community Care (VA-CC) settings?Across 3 modified Delphi panels with 31 clinical and quality experts, 40 measures met the appropriateness threshold for inclusion in an expanded episode-based surgical quality framework, including 15 for carpal tunnel release, 8 for inguinal hernia repair, and 17 for total knee arthroplasty.This study presents an innovative model encompassing preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative care phases for potential application in VA and CC settings.

Corresponding Author: Erika D. Sears, MD, MS, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr, 2130 Taubman Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5340 (endavis@med.umich.edu).

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