At PFD Week 2016 in Denver we launched a beta version of the AUGS Urogynecology Quality Registry (AQUIRE). Since last Fall, the team led by Mike Flynn, MD and Mandy Pulliam, MD, with input from 25 physician practices, has been testing and refining the new platform. I am pleased to announce that we are ready to share the final version with our full membership.

AQUIRE provides participating physicians a mechanism to track their individual and/or practice-level performance on a range of process and quality measures, benchmarked against their peers at national and regional levels. AQUIRE is a Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR), as such, it meets the reporting requirements for the CMS Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and our ABOG MOC Part IV. Registry participants can access their Performance Dashboard for real time aggregate clinical and patient reported outcomes. Importantly the beta testers report data entry was relatively quick averaging 2-4 minutes.

AUGS is committed to advancing quality and value care for women with PFDs. As the leader in FPMRS, we are dedicated to developing tools for our members to achieve this common goal. 

AQUIRE is an ambitious multi-year initiative that will encompass several condition specific modules. This inaugural module focuses on surgical management of prolapse. Later this year, we will introduce the module on surgical management of stress urinary incontinence. Also in development is a web-based, electronic patient-reported outcomes module to collect longer term subjective outcomes.  

For those like myself, who are employed by large multispecialty health systems and not reporting into MIPS, the benefits of participation are substantial though more personal. AQUIRE will enable audits of practice patterns and mesh associated adverse outcomes with the opportunity to benchmark performance against peers. Members are encouraged to advertise their strong commitment to self-assessment and quality improvement. AUGS has developed a logo for AQUIRE participants to post on their websites and other marketing materials for their practice.   

I encourage everyone to consider signing up for AQUIRE. Your data will ensure we have a robust national database which broadly represents practice in the field. To learn more and to sign up for AQUIRE visit the AUGS website. AUGS staff have experience helping members traverse their institutional infrastructure to get contracts approved. If you are interested in joining but are unclear on how to get your institutional approval, reach out to AUGS for advice at AQUIRE@augs.org.