::  Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS UNYSQI?
UNYSQI brings American College of Surgeons’ (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) to collaborating network providers. ACS NSQIP is the first nationally validated, risk-adjusted, outcomes based program to measure and improve the quality of surgical care. This Health Plan sponsored, team-learning collaborative provides sharing of best practices and expertise to help drive statewide quality improvement in surgical care, through use of the ACS NSQIP – the “Gold Standard” for surgical results reporting.

WHY PARTICIPATE?
Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) generate an average of $28,211 in extra costs per case and comprise 38% of all morbidities. (1) As responsibility for these costs shifts to the provider, whether a rural hospital or an academic medical center, the savings realized can be the difference between profitability and loss. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) increase a patient’s hospital costs by 47% at teaching hospitals and 35% at community hospitals. Four out of five surgical patients receive catheters. (1) With device-related UTIs on CMS and other payers’ “hospital acquired conditions” list, even occasional infections can deplete hospital resources.To fix a problem, one must know a problem exists. The UNYSQI strives to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient through data-driven, focused, and measureable efforts utilizing proven best practices that are tied to financial results. The UNYSQI works on the premise that only through outcome measurements and the use of timely data, rather than just process measurements, can system problems be solved. The analysis of every surgical error and complication must be examined to prevent reoccurrence, thus reducing harm, improving patient outcomes, and reducing inpatient LOS.

References: 1) Sa-Leao R, Sanches IS, Couto I, Alves CR, de Lencastre H. Low prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains among Staphylococcus aureus colonizing young and healthy members of the community in Portugal. Microb Drug Resist 2001;7:237-245 2) Dimick JB, Chen SL, Taheri PA, Henderson WG, Khuri SF, Campbell DA Jr. Hospital costs associated with surgical complications: a report from the private-section National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. J AM Coll Surg 2004; 199(4): 531-537

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