JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery
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JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jun 2016
Effect of a Documentation Improvement Program for an Academic Otolaryngology Practice.
Physicians recognize the value of accurate documentation to facilitate patient care, communication, and the distribution of professional fees. However, the association between inpatient documentation, hospital billing, and quality metrics is less clear. ⋯ After educational sessions, multiple measures of patient acuity increased significantly owing to improved documentation of common comorbid conditions. Although physicians intuitively appreciate the importance of good documentation, education on the technical aspects of coding can significantly improve the quality and accuracy of clinical records.
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JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jun 2016
Factors Associated With Survival in Patients With Synovial Cell Sarcoma of the Head and Neck: An Analysis of 167 Cases Using the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) Database.
Synovial cell sarcoma of the head and neck (SCSHN) is a rare tumor associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The literature regarding these tumors is limited to case series and case reports. We used data from the population-based US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry to determine factors affecting both overall survival and disease-specific survival of patients with SCSHN. ⋯ Synovial cell sarcoma of the head and neck is rare. Independent significant determinants of survival include size (>5 cm) and stage at presentation. Histologic subtype of the tumor is not a significant indicator of the probability of survival. Surgical resection and radiotherapy were not independent determinants of survival.