ASPIRE-Anesthesiology Performance Improvement and Reporting Exchange, https://mpog.org/aspire/ is the quality improvement arm of MPOG-Multicenter Perioperative Outcomes Group. The goal is to improve the care of patients undergoing anesthesia by reducing unexplained variation in practice and collaborating with anesthesia providers to define best practices. Participating sites work together to build quality measures, review best practices, and exchange ideas for improving patient outcomes ASPIRE has developed numerous quality measures, spanning several anesthesia care domains.
The Department of Anesthesiology at VUMC joined MPOG ASPIRE in 2020. A task force, led by Dr. Miklos Kertai, was formed to mobilize resources, and develop a cohesive plan for implementation of ASPIRE quality measures department wide. Initially, the task force identified 3 Adult specific measures and 3 Pediatric specific measures on which a QI project would focus. Ultimately, there are 22 ASPIRE measures that have been identified.
A key component of ASPIRE includes monthly feedback emails showing departmental compliance with ASPIRE measures and then later provider level performance. A second component of the ASPIRE project is the development and delivery of educational modules in the form of daily delivery of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with accompanying rationale for correct answers. Quiztime, a web-based application, delivers questions via email or text message to department anesthesia providers. Quiztime uses the concept of 1) spaced education and 2) testing effect. By using this modality, the task force seeks to reinforce and/or reteach key concepts that support best practices in anesthesia. Each quarter, as new measures become the focus for improvement, a new module will also be delivered. Each module is 20 MCQs, one question delivered daily for one month.
Ultimately, this QI project will improve patient care with the delivery of detailed feedback to anesthesia providers. In addition, the provision of education that is ASPIRE measure specific will further enhance best practices in anesthesia.
