Appropriate Use Criteria Committees: The Professional Society Role in the Development and Implementation of Appropriate Use Criteria

Abstract

Vascular surgeons have the ability to manage and intervene on numerous vascular diseases of both the arterial and venous systems. With the growing number of interventions available as endovascular technology evolves, it is important to determine when a procedure is safely indicated for a vascular surgery patient. Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) offers synthesized clinical information and practice standards that can aid clinicians in making these management decisions. Professional societies, such as the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), bring experts in the field together to collaborate and create AUC for various vascular diseases and interventions. It is essential to publish these criteria in peer-reviewed journals as well as make them available on public websites, making the information available to vascular surgeons as well as to interventionalists from other specialties who also treat patients with vascular disease. Cardiology, interventional radiology, and interventional nephrology are some other specialties who perform procedures for vascular disease, and vascular interventions by non-surgeon specialists continue to increase [1]. SVS has published AUCs on intermittent claudication, carotid disease, and abdominal aneurysm management. These are intended to guide practice, but also have highlighted areas for improvement that would allow for more universal implementation of AUCs in vascular patient care across medical specialties. Increased intersocietal participation and perhaps inclusion of government and other payer participation will allow Professional Society sponsored AUCs to evolve, resulting in coordinated, appropriate care for vascular surgery patients.