ARC/STSA National Surgical Technology Trends

The following data were gathered from the Annual Reports that all Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
(CAAHEP)-accredited Surgical Technology programs are required to submit to the ARC/STSA. Publication of this national data is part
of the ARC/STSA’s commitment to transparency and quality higher education in Surgical Technology. The CST™ exam is administered
by the National Board for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.

Surgical Technology Outcomes Trends 2013-2015*

OUTCOME	Year	Percentage	OUTCOME	Year	Percentage
Student Retention	2016	66.23%	Employer Survey Return Rate	2016	65.24%
	2015	64.98%		2015	64.86%
	2014	60.01%		2014	64.76%
	2013	60.89%		2013	65.66%
	2012	62.17%		2012	64.26%
OUTCOME	Year	Percentage	OUTCOME	Year	Percentage
CST™ Exam Participation	2016	97.53%	Employer Satisfaction	2016	96.74%
	2015	97.00%		2015	95.92%
	2014	95.52%		2014	95.17%
	2013	90.60%		2013	94.02%
	2012	93.08%		2012	96.06%
OUTCOME	Year	Percentage	OUTCOME	Year	Percentage
CST™ Exam Pass Rate	2016	78.69%	Graduate Survey Return Rate	2016	67.12%
	2015	77.26%		2015	65.88%
	2014	75.75%		2014	62.37%
	2013	64.93%		2013	63.04%
	2012	61.44%		2012	66.60%
OUTCOME	Year	Percentage	OUTCOME	Year	Percentage
Graduate Placement Rate	2016	81.61%	Graduate Satisfaction	2016	96.62%
	2015	78.73%		2015	96.98%
	2014	77.58%		2014	96.14%
	2013	78.46%		2013	94.71%
	2012	75.64%		2012	94.84%

The ARC/STSA has established the following thresholds for each outcome

Student Graduation Rate	70% for all cohorts that enrolled before August 1, 2015 60% for all cohorts that enrolled on or after August 1, 2015
CST™ Exam Participation	100% for all graduates
CST™ Pass Rate	70% for all graduates
Graduate Job Placement	80% for all graduates
Employer Survey Return Rate	50% for all surveys sent to employers
Employer Satisfaction Rate	85% for all completers before August 1, 2016 and administered no sooner than 9 months from graduate placement. Use the unrevised Employer Satisfaction Survey Form- www.arcstsa.org 70% for all completers on or after August 1, 2016 and may be administered immediately upon placement. Use the newly revised Employer Satisfaction Survey Form
Graduate Survey Return Rate	50% for all surveys sent to graduates
Graduate Satisfaction	85% for all completers before August 1, 2016 and administered no sooner than 6 months from program completion. Use the unrevised Graduate Satisfaction Survey Form 70% for all completers on or after August 1, 2016 and may be administered immediately upon completion of the program. Use the newly revised Graduate Satisfaction Survey Form-www.arcstsa.org