NORA INSTITUTE FOR SURGICAL PATIENT SAFETY
DEDICATED AT AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS HEADQUARTERS

CHICAGO: The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has announced a new quality initiative, the Nora Institute for Surgical Patient Safety, which was dedicated this morning at ACS headquarters in Chicago, where its activities will be based.  The Institute has been established to further the College’s efforts to ensure the safety and quality of surgical care by informing and educating patients and surgeons about issues related to surgical patient safety, and by monitoring the legislative process as it relates to the issue at both the federal and state level. 

"We are very pleased that the Nora Institute for Surgical Patient Safety is housed at the American College of Surgeons.  The College has a long history in leading patient safety efforts in the United States and around the world, so we will become great partners in efforts undertaken by the Nora Institute," Thomas R. Russell, MD, FACS, ACS Executive Director, said.  "Surgeons are keenly aware that their fundamental responsibility is to be their patients’ quality care advocate and provider, and the work of the Nora Institute will be instrumental in providing surgeons with the resources they need to safeguard patient safety and utilize best practices," he said.

Paul F. Nora, MD, FACS, Institute Founder and Director, explained that "the Institute has been founded to assist the American College of Surgeons in achieving its overriding goal  of ensuring surgical patient safety in the United States and   in countries around the world.  Furthermore, we anticipate that the Institute will be a valuable resource for all surgeons, policymakers, patients, and other stakeholders who are concerned about the quality of health care in the United States."

A general surgeon, Dr. Nora is a professor of clinical surgery at Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL.  He   has a long affiliation with the College and has lent his expertise to the College's many surgical patient safety efforts.   Dr. Nora has served as a consultant to (2006-present) and member (2001-07) of the Committee on Patient Safety and Quality Improvement; Chair (1975-77) and consultant to the Committee on Operating Room Environment (1981-88); and Vice-Chair (1983-86) and member (1980-86) of the Medical Devices Committee. Further-more, Dr. Nora served as Director of the College's Professional Liability Program from 1986 to 1999.  He is co-editor of ACS Surgical Patient Safety: Essential Information for Surgeons in Today's Environment and editor of two editions of the College's Professional Liability/Risk Management: A Manual for Surgeons.

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient.  The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients.  The College has more than 72,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world.

Online June 17, 2008

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