The Committee on Trauma has been actively involved in government efforts to establish guidelines for emergency medical services in mass-casualty events, including hemorrhage control. In a related effort, the Hartford Consensus, led by ACS Regent Lenworth Jacobs, Jr., MD, FACS, has articulated a framework for increasing survivability in mass shootings, known as THREAT: 1) threat suppression, 2) hemorrhage control, 3) rapid extrication to safety, 4) assessment by medical providers, and 5) transport to definitive care.
Among the Commission on Cancer’s (COC’s) most significant accomplishments in 2014 was the development of a framework for oncology medical home standards. In addition, the COC held its first legislative briefing in 2014 and issued a written response to the Institutes of Medicine report, Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care: Charting a New Course for a System in Crisis.
The College is providing more opportunities for surgeons to communicate with each other and for the ACS to communicate with the membership. The ACS Communities, now totaling 92, launched in July 2014, providing an interactive platform for surgeons to share their views, interests, and concerns. Shortly thereafter, the College launched a new, easy-to-navigate website, www.facs.org, which has been well-received.
In 2014-2015, the ACS Inspiring Quality tour has made stops in Northern California, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Iowa, Utah, and Sacramento, CA. At these meetings, we have continued to communicate to policymakers how ACS Quality Programs reduce spending and improve outcomes.
With these programs and solid leadership, the College is well-positioned to lead efforts to ensure that surgical patients receive optimal care. Your continued support is appreciated and your active involvement is strongly encouraged.
Dr. Hoyt is the Executive Director of the American College of Surgeons, Chicago.