OHSU engaged in high-level surgical assessment

Health Care
OHSU surgery
OHSU surgery
three medical staff, including a surgeon, at the operating table, dressed in blue
OHSU is participating in the development of a new program by the American Society of Surgeons to assess a hospitals’ ability to provide the highest standards of surgical care. Surgeon Brett Sheppard, M.D., center, says, “We want to be on the vanguard for people leading quality of surgical care throughout the nation.” (OHSU/Fritz Liedtke)

Oregon Health & Science University is one of 16 hospitals across the United States, Japan and Australia to participate in the development of a new program by the American Society of Surgeons to assess hospitals’ ability to provide the highest standards of surgical care.

The process will result in an ACS Quality Verification Program to be rolled out to hospitals across the country beginning later this year.

The ACS pilot project covered surgical teams across OHSU, including teams involved in all phases of care from preoperative through the operating room to recovery and postoperative care. A team of ACS evaluators visited OHSU in October to assess the hospital’s commitment and ability to assess surgical systems and practices.

The assessment covered dozens of surgeons and surgical teams at OHSU.

Brett Sheppard, M.D., FACS
Brett Sheppard, M.D., FACS

“This speaks to our commitment and passion for quality,” said Brett Sheppard, M.D., FACS, professor of surgery and vice chair for clinical affairs and quality in surgery in the OHSU School of Medicine. “We want to be on the vanguard for people leading quality of surgical care throughout the nation.”

ACS evaluators acknowledged an organizational dedication to a hospital-wide culture of patient safety, high reliability and continuous performance improvement.

The ACS verification program will be based on its publication Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality and Safety, a weighty manual initially published in 2017. It’s known by surgeons as the Red Book.


Erik Robinson
Senior Media Relations Specialist
503-494-8231