Recognized Leader in Geriatric Surgery Program

A New Way to Recognize Excellence in Geriatric Surgical Care

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) and The Leapfrog Group are collaborating to recognize hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to providing high-quality surgical care for older adults.

Beginning in 2027, eligible hospitals that participate in the ACS Geriatric Surgery Verification (GSV) Program and meet Leapfrog quality requirements may be publicly recognized as a Recognized Leader in Geriatric Surgery.

Whether you're already participating in GSV, involved with Leapfrog, or exploring both, this collaboration creates a new opportunity to demonstrate your organization's commitment to safer, patient-centered surgical care.

A Shared Approach to Geriatric Surgical Quality

As America's population ages, hospitals are caring for more older adults with increasingly complex surgical needs. These patients often benefit from care that addresses not only the operation itself, but also mobility, cognition, medication management, nutrition, and recovery planning.

The Recognized Leader in Geriatric Surgery programs brings together two nationally recognized organizations with complementary strengths.

American College of Surgeons

The ACS Geriatric Surgery Verification (GSV) Program helps hospitals implement evidence-based practices designed to improve surgical care for older adults. Participating hospitals adopt multidisciplinary approaches that address the medical, functional, and social needs of aging patients throughout the surgical journey.

The Leapfrog Group

The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization focused on improving patient safety and healthcare quality through transparent public reporting. Its Hospital Survey and Hospital Safety Grade help patients and purchasers identify hospitals committed to safer care.

Together, the ACS and Leapfrog provide both the clinical framework for quality improvement and a public recognition pathway for hospitals demonstrating excellence in geriatric surgical care.

How Hospitals Become Eligible

Hospitals may become eligible for the Recognized Leader in Geriatric Surgery designation by meeting established program requirements from both organizations.

These include:

• Participating in the ACS Geriatric Surgery Verification (GSV) Program
• Achieving or making considerable achievements towards key patient safety metrics from the Leapfrog Hospital Survey—Computerized Prescriber Order Entry (CPOE) standard, Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) standard, Medication Reconciliation measure, and Safe Surgery Checklist 
• Earning a Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade of A or B, when eligible

Hospitals that meet the established criteria are expected to become eligible for recognition beginning in 2027. Final recognition requirements and timing will be communicated as the program launches.

How to Participate

Current ACS GSV Participants

Learn how your hospital's participation in the Geriatric Surgery Verification Program connects to the Recognized Leader in Geriatric Surgery program and what additional requirements may apply.

Current Leapfrog Participants

If your hospital already participates in the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, Geriatric Surgery Verification Program participation may be an important step toward future eligibility for the new recognition program.

New to Both Programs?

We'll help you understand the pathway and connect you with the appropriate resources based on your hospital's current quality initiatives.

Why the Recognition Matters

Improve Care for Older Adults

Implement evidence-based practices that help hospitals better address the unique needs of older surgical patients.

Demonstrate Your Commitment to Quality

Show patients, families, clinicians, and healthcare purchasers your organization's commitment to providing high-quality geriatric surgical care.

See Measurable Quality Value

GSV evidence points to improvements in morbidity, length of stay, loss of independence, and potential avoided costs tied to complications such as delirium and readmissions. 

Expand Visibility

Recognition through this collaboration helps hospitals communicate their quality achievements to audiences that increasingly consider transparency and quality performance when making healthcare decisions.

Build on Existing Quality Efforts

For many hospitals already participating in ACS Quality Programs or Leapfrog initiatives, this collaboration represents another opportunity to strengthen and showcase existing investments in quality improvement.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more and The Leapfrog Group and hear directly from Clifford Y. Ko, MD, MS, MSHS, FACS, Senior Vice President, Division of Research and Optimal Patient Care, American College of Surgeons, and Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group.

Interested in Learning More?

Whether your organization already participates in Geriatric Surgery Verification, Leapfrog, or is exploring opportunities to strengthen surgical care for older adults, we'd be happy to discuss the Recognized Leader in Geriatric Surgery program.