The Virginia Cardiac Services Quality Initiative (VCSQI) and Maryland Cardiac Surgery Quality Initiative (MCSQI) invite cardiac registry professionals to a collaborative, working workshop focused on practical solutions, shared learning, and real-world application.

This is not a lecture series.

It is a discussion-driven session designed for people who actively work inside the data — abstraction, validation, workflow, and quality improvement.

Participants will engage directly with collaborative leaders, experienced data managers, and subject-matter experts to address challenges programs face every day.

What You’ll Take Back to Your Program

• Strategies to improve abstraction accuracy and efficiency

• Guidance on documentation and workflow alignment

• Understanding how registry data drives quality improvement decisions

• Peer solutions to common operational challenges

• Opportunities to ask questions in a collaborative environment

AGENDA

1:00-1:30 PM

Welcome & Overview

Judy Smith, University of Virginia (VCSQI)

Kimberly Behrens, Johns Hopkins (MCSQI)

1:30-2:15 PM

Ask the Expert: Standardizing Surgical Procedure Documentation: A Templated Approach

Erica Negrini, Health Catalyst

• Practical approaches to using Epic workflows to support accurate abstraction and reduce manual work. Includes live Q&A.

2:15-2:45 PM

Best Practice Spotlight – MCSQI Data Managers Tenets

Terri Haber, MCSQI

• An overview of the MCSQI Tenets and how consistent application supports reliable data capture, shared expectations, and collaborative improvement across programs.

2:45-3:00 PM - Break

3:00-3:30 PM

Best Practice Spotlight – VCSQI: Cardioplegia

Michael Gelvin, University of Virginia (VCSQI)

• Focused discussion on cardioplegia practices and how standardized clinical processes improve both data reliability and patient outcomes.

3:30-4:00 PM

Hot Topic - API Scores

Sheila Fairless, Health Catalyst

• Enhance data managers’ understanding of API score methodology, components, and performance drivers in order to improve data accuracy, interpretation, and site-level quality improvement strategies.

4:00-4:45 PM

Ask the Expert: Enhanced Recovery After Cardiac Surgery: Evidence, Guidelines, and Impact

Amanda Rea, University of Maryland

• Review current evidence and guideline-based recommendations for Enhanced Recovery After Cardiac Surgery (ERAS-CS) and examine their measurable impact on patient outcomes, resource utilization, and quality performance metrics.

4:45-5:00 PM

Closing Remarks

Judy Smith, University of Virginia (VCSQI)

Kimberly Behrens, Johns Hopkins (MCSQI)

Who Should Attend

• STS Cardiac Surgery Data Managers

• Registry Coordinators & Abstractors

• Quality Improvement Specialists

• Program Administrators involved in registry reporting

Workshop Purpose

To strengthen data accuracy, support workflow efficiency, and

reinforce how high-quality registry data drives measurable improvements in cardiac surgery care.