Quality Improvement in Cardiothoracic Surgery: Evidence-Based Practices for Enhanced Outcomes

"Quality Improvement in Cardiothoracic Surgery: Evidence-Based Practices for Enhanced Outcomes" offers a comprehensive guide to quality improvement (QI) initiatives aimed at transforming the landscape of Cardiothoracic (CT) surgery. The book addresses the urgent need for systematic improvements in surgical processes and patient care within the high-stakes environment of cardiovascular and thoracic operations.

With contributions from leading cardiothoracic surgeons and QI experts, this text will bridge the gap between theoretical QI frameworks and their practical application in the operating room and the perioperative pathway. Focusing on real-world examples and best practices, it provides clinicians, surgeons, and healthcare administrators with practical tools to improve outcomes, reduce complications, and enhance efficiency.

This book is particularly timely as healthcare moves towards value-based models and patient safety becomes a top priority for hospitals worldwide. Although, there is such a tremendous need for education on the implementation of quality improvement interventions, currently there is no similar book in the context of cardiothoracic surgery available in the market.

Key Objectives and Aims

• To introduce evidence-based QI methodologies specifically adapted for cardiothoracic surgery, including Lean, Six Sigma, and Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles.
• To explore real-world case studies that demonstrate successful QI projects in cardiac and thoracic surgeries.
• To provide actionable tools and frameworks for surgeons and administrators to initiate and sustain QI initiatives within their institutions.
• To highlight future trends in QI for cardiothoracic surgery, such as the use of robotics, data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital monitoring tools.

Dimitrios Magouliotis MD, PhD, MBA, MSc: Dr. Magouliotis is a Research Assistant Professor in Cardiac Surgery at the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, PA, USA.

Previous posts: EACTS/FFF Fellow in Quality Improvement and Clinical Outcomes at the University of Michigan (MSTCVS-QC), Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Fellow in transplant and oncologic surgery at the Paul Brousse Hospital, Paris, France

Training: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece

PhD in Patient-Derived Xenografts as preclinical models of diseases, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece

Master of Business Administration (MBA), University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus

MSc in Perioperative Medicine, University College London, UCL, London, UK

MSc in Clinical Applications of Molecular Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece

Included in the top 2% of Scientists worldwide according to the Stanford List 

Thanos Athanasiou MD, PhD, MBA, FECTS, FRCS: Prof. Thanos Athanasiou is Professor of Cardiovascular Sciences and Cardiac Surgery at the Imperial College London, London, UK and Consultant Cardiac Surgeon at Hammersmith/St Mary's/St Bartholomew's Hospitals. He was awarded a national ACCEA Silver Award (2021) being supported by the Royal College of Surgeons and Imperial College. He is elected member of the Adult Cardiothoracic Committee of the Cardiothoracic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. He is also Internal Clinician in Cardiovascular Device Certification (CE Mark) Notified Body in Europe (BSI). Included in the top 2% of Scientists worldwide according to the Stanford List since 2020.

Marco Scarci MD, FRCS(Eng), FCCP, FACS, FEBTS: Dr. Scarci is a consultant thoracic surgeon at the Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK, and a Honorary Senior Lecturer National Heart and Lungs Institute, Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust, with over 10 years of experience in Cambridge, London and abroad. His specialist training took place in Malta, the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre and Guy's and St Thomas', London. Following a six-month fellowship in minimally invasive surgery at the University of Toronto, Canada, Mr Scarci was appointed consultant thoracic surgeon at Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge in 2011. Working closely with a multidisciplinary team, including other distinguished surgeons, specialist nurses, radiologists and physicians, Mr Scarci is committed to providing a personalised service which ensures the best treatment and the best outcome for each patient.