Quality Improvement and Patient Safety

In this episode, Dr. Kara Watts joins Dr. Andrew Harris, chair of AUA's Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) Committee, to discuss the implementation of an electronic medical record-based ureteral stent tracker. They explore how this intervention has decreased average stent dwell time and the frequency of retained ureteral stents. To learn more about how to implement quality improvement projects, view the AUA's Quality Improvement Project Guide.

We are pleased to announce that Dr Stephen Nakada, AUA Past President (2024-2025), has joined the AUANews editorial board as the new Associate Editor for Leadership and Business. He will be leading a new series on leadership within the AUA. The second installment features a conversation between Dr Nakada and current AUA Treasurer Dr Jennifer Miles-Thomas.

In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, host Corey Del Bianco speaks with Tejal Patel and Dr. Kate Kraft about their AUA 2026 Best Poster-winning research, "Understanding Factors Associated with Urology Retirement: Insights from the 2024 AUA Census." The conversation explores how age, gender, call burden, administrative responsibilities, family considerations, and career fulfillment influence when urologists plan to retire. They also discuss how flexible retirement pathways, physician well-being initiatives, and targeted workforce planning can help retain experienced urologists while supporting the future of patient care.

In recognition of World Humanitarian Day, Dr. Joseph Smith speaks with Dr. Gopal Badlani, recipient of the Urology Care Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Award, about a career rooted in service. Their conversation explores the lasting impact of teaching and mentorship, the importance of building local surgical capacity, the challenges of delivering care in resource-limited settings, and why humanitarian work begins with humility, sustainability, and a commitment to patients before, during, and after care.

In this episode of Igniting Discovery, host Christopher Rowland explores how the AUA Innovation Nexus Bootcamp helps early-stage urology companies accelerate the path from promising idea to real-world impact. Guests Dr. Jeff Dan, Laura Venier of Arch Biotech, and Adam Yaacov of Urologic Health share how access to mentors, investors, reimbursement experts, regulatory guidance, and clinical insight helped sharpen their pitches, identify blind spots, prioritize milestones, and build momentum beyond the two-day bootcamp.

In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, urology PA Chris Pitchford and nurse practitioner Michelle Hellwig share their firsthand experience with the Fundamentals in Urology program. They discuss how the two-day, hands-on course helps APPs build confidence with essential urologic skills, including difficult catheterization, cystoscopy, ultrasound interpretation, and priapism management. The conversation also highlights the value of simulation-based training, peer networking, expert instruction, and early career education for APPs entering or advancing in the specialty.

In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, Dr. Matthew Nielsen and Dr. Peter Clark preview the inaugural AUA Science and Quality Summit, taking place November 13–14, 2026, at AUA headquarters in Linthicum, Maryland. They discuss the vision behind the new meeting, the evolving role of quality improvement in urology, the promise and challenges of artificial intelligence, and the importance of leadership development across career stages.

Join Dr. Andrew Harris, Chair of AUA's Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Committee, and AUA's President, Dr. Eugene Rhee, as they discuss the implementation and impact of The Virtualist Model, a QI initiative undertaken at Kaiser Permanente Southern California to address a call burden, which undermines joy in work and is an important driver of physician burnout.

We are pleased to announce that Dr Stephen Nakada, AUA Past President (2024-2025), has joined the AUANews editorial board as the new Associate Editor for Leadership and Business. He will be leading a new series on leadership within the AUA. The first installment features a conversation between Dr Nakada and current AUA Secretary Dr David Penson.

In this episode of AUANews Inside Tract, host Dr. Mark Edney speaks with Dr. Helen Burnie about the FDA's proposed updates to testosterone therapy labeling and what they could mean for urologists, patients, and the broader field of men's health. The discussion explores new evidence on cardiovascular safety, prostate cancer, BPH, and appropriate patient selection, while emphasizing the importance of evidence-based prescribing, shared decision-making, fertility counseling, and ongoing monitoring.