Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jul 2010
Multicenter StudyPreliminary NSQIP results: a tool for quality improvement.
To utilize National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) data to evaluate patient outcomes in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. ⋯ NSQIP reports form the basis for quality improvement with targeted interventions in areas of concern that result in changes in patient care processes. The reports are composed of outcomes-based, risk-adjusted data that are submitted by participating hospitals and have recently included data for otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Actions taken based on NSQIP data demonstrate improvements in patient morbidity and mortality, decreased length of stay, and decreased hospital costs. In a time of increased scrutiny of health care costs and outcomes, NSQIP is an important tool for surgeons to improve quality and decrease costs.
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To determine the scope of wrong-site sinus surgery. ⋯ Approximately 10 percent of survey respondents know of a case of wrong-site sinus surgery occurring; the majority of respondents are concerned about a wrong-sinus or wrong-sided surgery occurring in their practice. Otolaryngologists should be vigilant regarding the potential for inverted computed tomography images; there should be national efforts to address this latent systems defect. Surgeons should be trained in understanding the role of and engaging in disclosure and in other techniques that are of greatest support to the patient. Consideration of sinus-specific checklists should be led by the societies representing sinus surgeons.