Impact of American College of Surgeons Verification Programs: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
J Am Coll SurgApr 30, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchGeneral SurgeryCardiothoracic SurgeryOrthopedic SurgeryPlastic SurgeryVascular Surgery
Geoffrey Hobika, Sarah L Remer, Connor Ullery et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the impact of American College of Surgeons (ACS) verification programs on surgical quality across 31 studies. The analysis revealed that 61% of outcomes improved with verification, particularly in safety (Z = 3.03, p = 0.0024) and effectiveness (Z = 11.77, p < 0.0001), while timeliness showed no significant change.
Key findings
- 61% of outcomes improved with ACS verification.
- Significant improvements in safety (Z = 3.03, p = 0.0024) and effectiveness (Z = 11.77, p < 0.0001).
- 34% of outcomes showed no difference, and 5% suggested worse outcomes.
- Timeliness showed no significant change (p = 0.3735).
Why it matters
Understanding the impact of ACS verification programs can guide surgical centers in quality improvement efforts. The findings suggest that verification may enhance safety and effectiveness, which are critical for patient outcomes.