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Founded in 2013, the Maryland Cardiac Surgery Quality Initiative (MCSQI) is non-profit consortium of the state’s cardiac surgery programs that shares and analyzes clinical outcomes data and process protocols for the purpose of improving the quality of cardiac surgical care. MCSQI serves as a peer-to-peer exchange of information whose work promotes the adoption of evidence-based best practices, ensures fair and accurate reports, and enhances healthcare policy.
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Our History
The Maryland Cardiac Surgery Quality Initiative (MCSQI) was established with a clear mission to improve the quality of cardiac surgery through research, collaboration, and data-driven practices. Beginning in 2013, MCSQI gained nonprofit status and quickly implemented key initiatives aimed at reducing readmissions and managing cost variability. The organization has worked closely with Maryland health authorities to influence policy and adopt best practices, such as the early extubation practice and transfusion protocols. By 2020, MCSQI had initiated strategic planning, launched educational webinars, and expanded its data management tenets to further enhance patient outcomes across the state.
Our Mission
Our mission is to continuously improve the clinical quality of cardiac surgery provided in the state of Maryland through data analysis, research, and education.
Strategic Goals
The goal of the Maryland Cardiac Surgery Quality Initiative (MCSQI) is to improve clinical quality in the state’s cardiac surgery community through outcomes analysis and process improvement. MCSQI serves as a peer-to-peer value exchange whose work promotes the adoption of evidence-based best practices, ensures fair and accurate reports and enhances healthcare policies.
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Our group endorses the spirit and intent of the Maryland Health Care Commission’s (MHCC) legislative charge to improve oversight and maintain high performance standards in Maryland hospitals’ cardiac programs.
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Improve Quality and Control Costs
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Enhance Communications and Education.
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Inform MHCC Policy
Organizational Focus
MCSQI is a non-profit consortium supported by all the hospitals that perform cardiac surgery in the state of Maryland. The organization is governed by cardiac surgeons and cardiovascular administrators from each of the member hospitals. The organization provides value to its stakeholders by improving the quality of care through data analysis and implementing best practice protocols led by the Board of Directors, Quality Committee and Research and Writing Committee.
Benchmarking and Reporting:
Benchmarking and reporting on key quality indicators are used in a confidential manner to assess trends and to stimulate conversation among providers about variations. Identification of statistically significant performance variations based on quarterly analysis of key clinical indicators have resulted in the development of MCSQI best practice guidelines.
Multi-disciplinary Collaboration:
MCSQI participants include cardiac surgeons, advance practice providers, data managers, hospital administrators, intensivists, cardiac anesthesiologists, perfusionists, cardiac rehabilitation specialists, and interventional cardiologists. A multi-disciplinary approach expands opportunity for quality improvement through enhanced coordination and delivery of value-based care
Research and Writing Publications:
Over 40 research posters, manuscripts, and presentations have been presented at national surgical society meetings. In addition to MCSQI’s Director of Analytics, a biostatistician is contracted to assist MCSQI with committee-approved quality research projects and publications.
Regional and National Collaboration:
MCSQI has entered into formal agreements and projects with other cardiac quality consortiums such as the Virginia Cardiac Services Quality Initiative, the National Cardiac Surgery Quality IMPROVE Network that represents six regional collaboratives comprised of over 90 programs, and the Perfect Care Collaborative that includes programs from North Carolina and Virginia.
Our Model
At MCSQI, we are committed to advancing cardiac surgery excellence through shared expertise, innovative practices, and the strategic use of data to improve patient care across Maryland.