The rationale and development of an adult cardiac anesthesia module to supplement the society of thoracic surgeons national database: Using data to drive quality
The practice of medicine, including the practice of anesthesiology, is rapidly becoming judged (as it should be), in large part, according to objective epidemiologic measures of patient outcome.31 The SCA believes that physicians are in the best position to measure clinical performance accurately and objectively and to apply this knowledge to improve the quality of care, safety, patient outcomes, and clinical efficiency. The SCA is committed to continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia care. We believe it is our responsibility and privilege as a professional organization to lead the way in education and provide an ongoing means to acquire new and clinically relevant knowledge to advance our field. The plan to work together and build an SCA/STS National Database has great potential for the SCA, the subspecialty of cardiothoracic anesthesiology, and the specialty of anesthesiology in general. The option we now face is an important one. We must decide whether we are ready to take the steps necessary to lead this national effort to track our performance and examine the impact of our practices on patient outcomes. If we choose not to take this lead, it is likely that another organization or agency will take the opportunity and be in a position to dictate our future practice. The SCA/STS National Database partnership represents a watershed project for the SCA, its membership, and all cardiothoracic anesthesiologists. Now that an Adult Cardiovascular Anesthesia Module has been created for this database, it is crucial that we all participate as part of our professional and social responsibility. The ultimate success and strength of this project is contingent on the number of participants in both academic and private institutions. The SCA strongly encourages everyone who is eligible to take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity to play a key role in shaping patient care. Copyright © 2014 International Anesthesia Research Society.