Standardizing Surgical Excellence in the VA with Data-Enabled Solutions

With data-enabled technologies to document and analyze performance and safety in the OR, hospitals can leverage their own surgical data resources to reduce error and improve perioperative safety. The use of integrated surgical content management software (SCMS) in the operating room has also demonstrated significant potential in supporting surgical quality improvement initiatives and improving outcomes for patients.

Training with Safety in Mind

SCMS can enable the use of standardized, validated assessment tools, which in turn facilitate video evaluations of procedures (surgical or endoscopic). These evaluations have significant value in documenting improvement over time. This supports the Designated Education Officer’s (DEO) efforts in VA hospitals to both standardize the evaluation process and improve the performance of resident and staff surgeons. 

Use of Embedded Reporting

Standard documentation and reporting protocols are particularly time-consuming, and slow down surgical workflow. with the help of a real-time event and case reporting tool, reporting functions can be embedded directly into the perioperative workflow, minimizing provider data input. Maintaining documentation digitally also ensures that critical data points are consistently recorded, which enables comparative data relevance for future analysis.

Content Management and Root-cause Analysis

Improved data accessibility and collaboration helps surgeons to identify patient risk and decide the appropriate clinical course of action. Surgical quality and performance in VA hospitals can be improved using SCMS, particularly when the system is responsive and accessible from secure remote devices. 

This paper explores how SCMS can augment quality and safety improvement initiatives in VA medical centers. The use of SCMS can also positively impact workflow balance and job satisfaction of frontline caregivers, quality managers, and DEOs.