Quality
SVS sustains and advances high-quality vascular care through its determination of appropriateness, engagement in quality improvement efforts, commitment to scientific methodology, and creation of quality measures to solidify the specialty.
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) is committed to advancing high-quality, patient-centered care for individuals with vascular disease. Through its committees, initiatives, and programs, SVS is proactively shaping the future of vascular care—ensuring that vascular specialists are equipped to succeed in an increasingly complex, value-driven healthcare environment.
Quality is a core strategic pillar of the SVS mission to drive excellence and innovation. In alignment with education, advocacy, research, and social awareness, SVS Quality leads coordinated efforts to address critical gaps in care, improve outcomes, and elevate standards across the vascular care continuum.
SVS Quality programs—including the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI), the Vascular Verification Program (VVP), and participation in CMS Quality Reporting Programs position SVS and its members at the forefront of national quality and performance improvement efforts. Through robust data infrastructure, evidence-based standards, and performance measurement, these programs enable clinicians and institutions to benchmark outcomes, meet regulatory requirements, and drive meaningful, sustained improvement in care delivery.
Complementing these efforts, the SVS Quality Improvement Committee develops and delivers targeted education, practical tools, and implementation resources to support clinicians and care teams in translating data into action. These offerings are designed to build quality improvement capability, accelerate adoption of best practices, and support continuous performance improvement at both the clinician and institutional level.
Collectively, SVS Quality serves as a strategic platform to advance clinical excellence, demonstrate value, and ensure that vascular specialists remain leaders in delivering high-quality, accountable care.
Quality Performance Measurement
Learn more about the SVS Quality and Performance Measures Committee and the resources they have created for SVS members and vascular care professionals.
Quality Improvement (QI) Consulting Program
We are excited to announce the SVS Quality Improvement (QI) Consulting Program, through the Quality Improvement Committee (QIC).
This free member benefit provides guidance to SVS members performing quality improvement activities at all stages — from getting started, to troubleshooting challenges, to sharing project outcomes. Our goal is to provide expert feedback and support as you navigate the changing healthcare environment and regulatory requirements.
Quality Improvement Toolkits
The SVS Quality Improvement Committee has created toolkits to help physicians improve patient care and outcomes. Select a toolkit to get started.
Appropriateness Use Criteria
SVS is committed to maximizing patient health outcomes through the decision-making process based on available resources.
Characteristics between Evidence Based Resources
| Clinical Practice Guidelines | Reporting Standards | Appropriate Use Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluates evidence in scientific literature | Provide consistency of definitions and classifications | AUC is the tool to determine if an intervention is appropriate for the patient’s condition as determined by a through literature search and determination by an expert panel |
| Assesses benefit and harms of treatment | The goal of the panel is to determine if the intervention benefits outweigh the harm | |
| Allows for individual customization of care per provider | AUC typically follows the publication of a CPG |
The first SVS AUC on Intermittent Claudication was accepted for publication in April 2022. The next AUC topic will be carotid disease.