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Quality Assessment and Safety Committee - Enhanced Recovery Overview

Currently, all parties – patients, payers, and providers are motivated (for different reasons) to optimize the speed and safety of patient recovery after abdominal surgery. The clinical and economic costs associated with delayed or sub-optimal recovery are staggering. Within the US, the costs associated with post-operative ileus alone are estimated at $1.5 billion per year. [1] Clearly, strategies that target and enhance post-operative recovery are worth consideration. To assist colon and rectal surgeons with this important topic, the Quality and Safety Committee has developed an Enhanced Recovery Overview document.

In the treatment of rectal cancer, colorectal surgeons exercise the greatest amount of clinical judgment, and work with the broadest range of other medical specialties. It is therefore appropriate that this topic be the first area for review. With this review, the committee covers several important, trending topics in the area of rectal cancer treatment, from the perspective of quality and patient safety.

The Quality Assessment and Safety Committee monitors activities of the National Quality Forum (NQF) and the Surgical Quality Alliance (SQA), and the AMA Consortium. The committee is dedicated to optimizing care for patients with colorectal disease by setting goals and standards for the treatment of diseases affecting the colon, rectum and anus.

To assist members attending the Annual Meeting in Boston, MA, the committee has created a guide highlighting sessions dedicated to enhanced patient outcomes. Utilize the guide to schedule which sessions you want to attend while at the Annual Meeting. For your convenience the ASCRS App is available for download through your mobile app store by searching for ASCRS2015. The App includes a schedule feature for attendees to schedule their daily session, meetings and social events. Make sure to add in the quality sessions that you would like to attend.

Register today for the ASCRS Annual Scientific Meeting, May 19 - 23, 2018 in Nashville, TN. Save big! The advance registration rate expires April 30!

Meeting highlights include:

• A robust scientific program featuring 39.75 hours of CME credit to provide in-depth and up-to-date information relative to surgery for diseases of the colon, rectum and anus.
• World-class educational opportunities from distinguished speakers from around the globe.
• A program with returning sessions and new additions for attendees to learn new techniques and ideas that will make a difference in their daily practice.
• The opportunity to network with more than 1,700 healthcare professionals. This is the largest meeting in North America devoted exclusively to colon and rectal surgery.

Visit the 2018 Annual Meeting page to review the preliminary program, view accommodations, and register for the meeting.

See you in Nashvile!

Learn about the medical and surgical management of simple and complex perianal Chrohn's disease, including when to divert. This webinar is complimentary for ASCRS members and is eligible for 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Learn more and register.