Carotid Care quality champion

Launched in the Summer of 2024, the Carotid Care Quality Champion program honors VQI participants across the country dedicated to improving the safety and effectiveness of vascular care through participation and engagement in VQI’s carotid artery stenting and carotid endarterectomy registries. Carotid Care Quality Champions rely on the VQI to support their commitment to quality care for vascular patients and help them adhere to the latest professional guidelines. In October 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its final decision on NCD 20.7, which pertains to coverage for carotid artery stenting. Although participation in a registry was not mandated for coverage, CMS does require centers to establish and maintain institutional and physician standards to support a carotid stent program—and registry participation remains the most appropriate approach to compliance.

CAROTID CARE QUALITY CHAMPION CENTERS

Centers participating in one or both of VQI’s carotid registries are recognized on the Carotid Care Quality Champion page of the VQI website, which includes a full, searchable listing of program centers, along with a variety of patient resources. This landing page serves as a valuable tool for patient education and should be part of a recognized center’s external communications strategy.

CAROTID CARE QUALITY CHAMPION TOOLKIT

While the SVS PSO posts a listing of the Carotid Care Quality Champion honorees on the VQI website, we can—and want—to do more to help celebrate and share your success. Take advantage of our tools and guidance designed to help you communicate this honor, both within and beyond the walls of your center.