What Happens Immediately After Review Day
Trauma centers often treat Review Day like a high‑stakes performance—equal parts anticipation, preparation, and caffeine. But once the reviewers leave (or log off), a common question echoes across trauma offices everywhere: “Now what?”
The good news: what happens next is structured, predictable, and designed to support your trauma program’s success. The even better news: you can finally let go of the death grip on your PRQ binder.
The Reviewer Huddle: Closed‑Door Deliberations
Immediately after the on‑site or virtual review concludes, the review team holds a closed meeting to synthesize findings, evaluate standards compliance, and ensure alignment with ACS criteria (American College of Surgeons [ACS], n.d.-a). During this meeting, reviewers compare notes on charts, interviews, facility tours, and PIPS evidence. Think of it as the trauma world’s version of judges deliberating on a reality competition—minus dramatic music, but with far more talk about PI loop closure.
This closed huddle is a standard, structured step that occurs before any official feedback is shared (ACS, n.d.-a).
The Exit Interview: Your First Look at Findings
Next comes the exit interview, a 30–60‑minute conversation where reviewers provide a high‑level overview of:
Strengths and exemplary practices
Opportunities for improvement
Any deficiencies that may impact verification
This is your program’s first glimpse into how the review landed. It's not yet the formal report, but it does offer immediate, actionable insights. According to ACS’s published VRC process, this interview is intended to promote transparency and alignment between reviewers and the trauma center (ACS, n.d.-a).
Reviewer Report Writing: The Magic Behind the Curtain
After departing your campus (or closing the video meeting window), reviewers begin preparing the official site visit report. This document is created using ACS verification standards outlined in Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient (ACS, 2022).
The report includes:
Compliance assessment for each standard
Identified deficiencies
Recommendations
Strengths and commendations
Verification determination (pending committee approval)
Your trauma team won’t receive this immediately—reviewers must finalize and submit it to ACS, where it undergoes internal quality checks.
ACS Committee Review: Where Decisions Are Finalized
Once the report is submitted, it moves to the Verification Review Committee (VRC), a subgroup of the ACS Committee on Trauma (COT). The VRC reviews the findings and issues the official verification decision (ACS, n.d.-b).
This is the step where:
Verification level is confirmed
Consultative recommendations are validated
Deficiencies are formally approved or amended
The VRC’s oversight ensures accuracy, fairness, and standardization across all trauma center reviews.
Your Trauma Center’s Follow‑Up Responsibilities
While your team catches its breath, ACS processes its formal determination. Once the report is ready:
You will receive official written notification.
Any deficiencies will include corrective action requirements.
Timelines (often 1–12 months) will be assigned for follow‑up documentation.
Programs receiving a consultative visit instead of verification can immediately begin integrating recommendations into their PI and trauma system work.
Why This Matters
Post‑review steps are not bureaucratic hurdles—they’re the mechanism that ensures high‑quality trauma care nationwide. By conducting standardized evaluations and follow‑up, ACS helps trauma centers continuously improve patient outcomes, PI processes, and systemwide readiness (ACS, n.d.-c).
Call to Action: Keep the Momentum Going
You’ve worked hard to prepare for Review Day—don’t let that energy fade.
Use the post‑review window to:
Debrief with your team
Update PI action plans
Embed reviewer feedback into practice
Start preparing corrective actions early
Celebrate your team’s effort (yes, snacks count as celebration)
Your trauma center’s verification journey doesn’t end with Review Day—it evolves from it. Stay proactive, stay engaged, and continue elevating the care your patients deserve.
References
American College of Surgeons. (n.d.-a). The Verification, Review, and Consultation process. https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/trauma/quality/verification-review-and-consultation-program/process/
American College of Surgeons. (n.d.-b). ACS COT Update on Verification Review Committee Processes. https://ota.org/media/303639/ACS-OTA-Ortho-Update.pdf
American College of Surgeons. (n.d.-c). Trauma verification, review, and consultation program Ooerview. https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/trauma/quality/verification-review-and-consultation-program/
American College of Surgeons. (2022). Resources for optimal care of the injured patient: 2022 standards. https://cdn.visionem.org/media/general/ACS-VRC-MAR-2022.pdf
