For the third consecutive year, the American College of Surgeons has recognized Southlake Health for surgical excellence
Southlake Health has once again earned international recognition as one of only six hospitals in Ontario to achieve meritorious outcomes in both categories in the American College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP®). Of the 609 North American hospitals that participate in the program, only 43 hospitals were recognized in both categories. This is the third consecutive year that the ACS has recognized Southlake for its commitment to clinical excellence and patient safety.
“It’s an incredible honour to be among the elite hospitals recognized internationally by ACS NSQIP for surgical excellence in two categories,” said Puneet Sandhu, Director, Surgical and Perioperative Services Program, Southlake Health. “This achievement is a true reflection of the dedication, skill, and teamwork of our entire surgical team, who continue to raise the bar for patient care and strive to deliver the highest standards every day.”
ACS NSQIP participants track the outcomes of inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures, collecting data that assesses patient safety and informs improvements in surgical care. Hospitals earn ACS NSQIP distinction in the “All Cases” and “High Risk” categories based on outstanding composite quality scores related to patient management in eight clinical areas:
- cardiac incidents, such as cardiac arrest and myocardial infarction
- pneumonia
- renal failure
- mortality
- surgical site infections
- urinary tract infections
- unplanned intubation
- ventilator use for more than 48 hours
Southlake is among the elite hospitals to achieve meritorious outcomes in both the “All Cases” and “High Risk” categories, a testament to its unwavering commitment to patient care and clinical excellence. Southlake’s continued success is rooted in its ability to not only meet but exceed international standards, year after year. By analyzing surgical data and identifying opportunities for improvement, Southlake is proud to lead the way.
“Every day, our surgical team makes a meaningful difference in the lives of patients, providing them with leading edge care right here in our community,” said John Randle, MD, Physician Leader, Surgical and Perioperative Services Program, Southlake Health. “Whether patients are in the pre-operative clinic, the operating room, or the recovery room, they become part of the Southlake family, where every member works together to support their journey to better health.”
Southlake Health has consistently ranked among the top hospitals for surgical outcomes, with a focus on innovative procedures, patient safety, and clinical excellence. These outcomes are a result of a team effort that includes surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, allied health, and support staff — all of whom are committed to providing leading edge care, close to home.
“Over the last century, Southlake has built a legacy of excellence, ensuring leading edge care is always within reach for families in northern York Region and southern Simcoe,” said Derek McNally, Executive Vice President, Clinical Services, and Chief Operating Officer, Southlake Health. “Congratulations to our surgical team for building on this legacy and securing a place among the best hospitals in the world for surgical outcomes — for the third consecutive year.”
ACS NSQIP is the only nationally validated quality improvement program that measures and enhances the care of surgical patients. The program’s goal is to reduce surgical morbidity (complications) and mortality (death), providing a foundation for applying evidence-based practices to surgery. With nearly 850 adult and paediatric hospitals using ACS NSQIP, it is a major initiative of the American College of Surgeons and plays a key role in advancing surgical care across North America. Risk-adjusted data from the July 2024 ACS NSQIP Semiannual Report, presenting outcomes from the 2023 calendar year, were used to determine the hospitals achieving meritorious outcomes.
Quick Facts
- Southlake offers surgical procedures in 11 specialties, including general surgery, cardiac surgery, orthopaedic surgery, ophthalmology surgery, and thoracic surgery, and vascular surgery.
- In 2023/24, Southlake performed over 37,000 day surgeries, supporting the health of the communities it serves.
Additional Resources
- Southlake Health’s Surgery Program
- Information on the 2021 and 2022 recognitions
