American Foregut Society Quality Improvement Project

Mission:

The mission of the AFS QIP is to provide online data collection and real-time analytic tools which will enable users to take both individual and aggregate outcomes data to personalize patient care using continuous quality improvement methodology.

Vision:

The vision of the AFS Quality Improvement Project (AFS QIP) is to support the vision of the AFS using continual quality improvement (CQI) as a method to provide personalized care for foregut disease patients.

What is QIP vs Research:

As long as patient data is collected and used for the purpose of continuously improving patient care, it is considered exempt from typical ‘research’ requirements of having a strict protocol with patient consent and Institutional Review Board approval. As such, any health care provider may collect limited protected health information as well as intervention and outcome data in a streamlined fashion.

Research Opportunities:

Any human research using AFS QIP data will be conducted through IRB-approved research methodologies (e.g., clinical trials, registries), and AFS QIP may provide appropriate forums for such research when requested.

Users:

Users will include practitioners and treatment developers (e.g., industry). AFS QIP will be a no-cost benefit to AFS practitioner members.

Types of Data Collection:

For purposes of clarity and simplicity, all of the data fields collected with the exception of PHI will be referred to as “all QIP data fields.”

Basic patient information which by CQI standards may include limited PHI (Protected Health Information): Name, date of birth, gender, body mass index, referral source, prior procedures related to GERD, and contact information (phone, email, address) to be used to obtain follow-up status.
Patient-reported Quality of Life (QOL) surveys to be obtained at baseline, 6 months post-procedure, and yearly for 5 years. Currently the QOL survey used is based on the ROARS QOL survey and will likely continue to evolve. Post-procedure surveys also ask about post-procedure complications.
Baseline Studies: Manometry, reflux testing, endoscopy, pathology, imaging, and gastric emptying.
Antireflux procedure: this includes multiple fields regarding technique including use of various types of mesh and various methods of performing an antireflux procedure on the esophagus. Perioperative and 30-day complications will be obtained by automated email to the surgeon and, for 30 days to the patient as well.
Postoperative studies, when obtained, may be collected as well.