Quality Indicators in Vascular Surgery: Toward a National Consensus on 20 Quality Indicators in Belgium

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to develop relevant quality indicators (QI) to monitor and improve quality of care in vascular surgery.

METHODS: The Delphi method was used to incorporate expert opinion to reach consensus on a set of QI. A national expert panel consisting of 52 vascular surgeons was installed on a voluntary basis and endorsed by the Belgian Society of Vascular Surgery and the Flemish Hospital Network KU Leuven. A task force team consisting of 12 surgeons was created to serve as a delegation of the expert panel to discuss and filter the obtained data from the different Delphi rounds.

RESULTS: A total of 3 Delphi rounds were needed to reach consensus on a set of 20 QI. Each QI had a content validity index (using a 7-point Likert scale), a feasibility index, and a target level. Twelve outcome indicators and 8 process indicators on several vascular topics were selected: overall for all vascular treatments (n = 1), arterial occlusive disease in general (n = 3), arterial occlusive disease of the lower limbs (n = 4), arterial occlusive disease of the carotid arteries (n = 5), arterial aneurysm disease in general (n = 2), arterial aneurysm disease with endovascular treatment (n = 1), and venous disease (n = 4).

CONCLUSIONS: This resulted in the successful identification of 20 validated and relevant vascular QI, focusing on arterial occlusive disease, arterial aneurysm disease, and venous disease. The next step in this project will be the performance of an implementation study.