ASPIRE Anesthesia Clinical Quality
Reviewer (ACQR)
Roles and Requirements
Role Summary
The Anesthesiology Performance Improvement and Reporting Exchange (ASPIRE) is the quality
improvement (QI) arm of the Multicenter Perioperative Outcomes Group (MPOG). ASPIRE improves
outcomes by empowering perioperative teams to explore variation in practice and identify opportunities
for change. Funding provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) supports ASPIRE activities
within the state of Michigan. Each participating site is required to hire an Anesthesia Clinical Quality
Reviewer (ACQR), whose primary function is to facilitate the implementation of the ASPIRE program
within their institution.
Key Responsibilities Include:
●Data Validation: The ACQR is responsible for clinical content mapping, data validation, and the
transfer of data to the MPOG Coordinating Center in the initial onboarding period and on a
monthly basis during the maintenance phase.
●ASPIRE Meeting Attendance.
○Quality Committee meetings - ACQRs are de facto members of the MPOG Quality
committee which meets virtually 5-6 times per year, on the fourth Monday of the month
at 10:00 a.m. EST. Quality Committee members provide the primary governance for
ASPIRE. During the meeting, measures are discussed and approved, QI Stories are
shared, and the coordinating center obtains feedback on QI initiatives.
○ASPIRE Collaborative meetings - As part of ASPIRE’s involvement in the BCBSM funded
Collaborative Quality Initiative, ACQRs have the additional responsibility of attending up
to 3 offsite meetings per year. Refer to BCBSM Pay-for-Performance scorecard for
specific requirements as they are updated annually.
●QI Measure Review. ACQRs are responsible for reviewing site measure performance and
determining data accuracy.
●Collaborate with Quality Champion. The ACQR has a professional and consistent working
relationship with the Quality Champion. It is recommended the ACQR meets monthly with the
Quality Champion to review ASPIRE data using tools provided by MPOG and identify areas for
quality improvement.
●Provide QI Education. ACQRs should communicate performance results and expectations to
anesthesia providers, nursing, administration and leadership at their institution with oversight
from the Quality Champion. Providing QI education can include group presentations on the
ASPIRE metrics incorporating best practice recommendations, discussion with an individual
provider to review performance, or responding to provider questions via email regarding
practice changes.
●Implementation of QI Projects. MPOG is a tool that provides credible data to enable continuous
quality improvement through reports, dashboards, and other resources necessary to make
informed decisions about improving care to patients undergoing anesthesia. ACQRs are
responsible for implementing QI efforts at their site with direction from the Quality Champion.
Required Qualifications
●Must be a registered nurse or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) with patient care
experience within the institution
●Minimum of three years of clinical experience in perioperative nursing
●Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and communicate well with others
●Commitment to data security and the protection of sensitive information with demonstrated
knowledge of applicable data use and sharing safeguards, specifically handling Protected Health
Information (PHI)
●Excellent written and verbal communication skills
●Demonstrated ability to disseminate knowledge via educational tools in print, online, and other
media
●Demonstrated ability to practice independently, set goals, promote teamwork, coordinate and
perform multiple activities as measured by interviews, references, and performance evaluations
●Demonstrated abilities in interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, organizational
skills and problem solving skill within all levels
●Strong computer knowledge and typing skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Desired Qualifications
●Clinical quality improvement experience
●Project Management experience
●Clinical Research experience
●Experience with literature review to identify and summarize recommendations for practice
Backup ACQR
MPOG sites may designate a backup ACQR to support ASPIRE activities in the absence of the primary
ACQR for vacations or medical leave. Backup ACQRs should be selected based on the following
requirements:
●Must be a registered nurse or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) at the institution
they are representing
●Must understand the maintenance schedule and be able to meet the associated deadlines if
the primary ACQR is absent
●Complete case validation for one month (total of 5 cases) per 12 month period to remain
current with the MPOG application
●Ability to disseminate information to the department either though communication back to
the primary ACQR, Quality Champion, or directly to the anesthesia department
