System Quality & Peer Review

Headshot of Ali Farzad, MD

Clear, practical medical insight that clinical teams can rely on.

I provide consulting support for emergency departments and health systems focused on quality improvement, peer review, and clinical performance in high-risk, time-sensitive care. This work draws on frontline emergency medicine practice, cardiovascular expertise, and experience with system-level implementation.

Engagements are designed to support learning, improvement, and operational clarity rather than attribution of blame.

Scope of Work

Health system consulting and peer review services may include:

  • Structured peer review of emergency department cases

  • Review of adverse events, near misses, and diagnostic delays

  • Evaluation of clinical decision-making in high-risk presentations

  • Support for morbidity and mortality review processes

  • Development or refinement of clinical pathways and protocols

  • Advisory input on quality metrics and performance improvement initiatives

Each engagement is tailored to the organization’s goals and defined by a clear scope.

Areas of Focus

This work most commonly involves emergency department care related to:

  • Chest pain and acute coronary syndromes

  • Arrhythmias and ECG interpretation

  • Pulmonary embolism and thromboembolic disease

  • Aortic emergencies

  • Cardiac arrest and post-resuscitation care

  • Decompensated heart failure

  • Diagnostic error and cognitive bias in acute care

This list is not exhaustive and does not imply availability for all requests.

Approach to Peer Review & Quality Improvement

My approach emphasizes:

  • Clinical realism and context

  • Standards of care as they existed at the time of care

  • Systems factors, workflow, and operational constraints

  • Separation of quality improvement from disciplinary or legal processes

  • Clear articulation of learning points and actionable recommendations

The goal is to support durable improvement rather than retrospective judgment.

Engagement Process

Health system quality and peer review engagements typically follow this process:

  1. Initial inquiry describing the system need or concern

  2. Scope definition and clarification of goals

  3. Confirmation of engagement terms

  4. Case review, analysis, and recommendations

  5. Follow-up discussion with clinical or leadership teams, when appropriate

  • This work is non-medicolegal and distinct from expert witness services

  • No physician-patient relationship is established

  • Peer review and quality consulting do not constitute legal opinion

  • Scope, purpose, and deliverables are confirmed in writing prior to engagement

  • Engagements may be declined based on scope, conflict, or fit

Disclosures & Boundaries

Why Work With Me

  • Frontline emergency medicine perspective

    Review and recommendations are informed by active practice in high-acuity emergency settings.

  • Cardiovascular and ECG expertise

    Fellowship training and academic focus in cardiovascular emergencies and ECG interpretation.

  • Systems-oriented approach

    Attention to workflow, staffing, cognitive load, and operational realities.

  • Improvement-focused framing

    Emphasis on learning and performance improvement rather than attribution or blame.

Request a Health System Inquiry

Health systems or clinical leaders seeking quality improvement or peer review support may submit a professional inquiry through the contact page. Please include a brief description of the clinical focus and organizational goals. Scheduling is offered only after scope and objectives are confirmed.

For medicolegal case review or health technology of AI advisory work, please return to the Consulting page.

For patient-related services, including concierge or personal injury care, please visit the Concierge & Private Care section.