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- Talk
- 18/09/2024
- UK
Reflections on Hospital and Surgical Performance - Insight Gained from the Role as Chair of the Surgical Performance Committee over the Years
Description
In a recent presentation, the speaker - Peter Howard- discussed the evolution of data analysis and reporting practices among surgeons, driven primarily by their experiences with peer and funnel plots. The speaker reflected on the steep learning curve faced by surgeons unfamiliar with terms like PTI and funnel plots, leading to a recognition that many surgeons shared this knowledge gap. This includes navigating the complexities of data comprehension and the implications of publishing surgical results, which initially posed challenges due to fears of misinterpretation and loss of support among surgeons.
Early difficulties in data completeness evolved; while initially patchy, it has since improved significantly. The speaker noted that early notifications to verify data were often met with minimal corrections, primarily due to misattribution. Acknowledging that missing data was mostly random rather than deliberate, they emphasized the linkage between data completeness and improved revision rates over time.
The protocol for managing surgical data involved sending notifications to surgeons via their units six weeks post-initial notifications, maintaining unit-based management while offering supportive advice for interpretation of their results. This practice led to the introduction of clinician feedback, allowing surgeons unprecedented access to their data, significantly enhancing transparency and engagement.
Further discussion highlighted factors influencing surgical outcomes, particularly the importance of age, gender, primary diagnosis, prothesis type, and fixation method. The introduction of standardized revision ratios provided clearer performance insights for surgeons, aiding them in mutual comparisons.
The speaker acknowledged challenges stemming from the wide variety of artificial implants used in surgeries, which correlate with higher revision rates, suggesting that consistency in implant use among surgeons tends to yield better outcomes.
Looking ahead, the speaker mentioned new strategies for teams facing persistent outlier challenges, emphasizing that changes in practice can positively impact contemporary outcomes. The introduction of elective care reviews has led to significant data improvements in participating units. Conclusively, the speaker expressed a commitment to supporting surgeons in their professional development, encouraging ongoing conversation and inquiries post-presentation.