The impact of a quality management program for patients undergoing head and neck resection with free-flap reconstruction: longitudinal study examining sustainability

Abstract Background Care pathways (CPs) are helpful in reducing unwanted variation in clinical care. Most studies of CPs show they improve clinical outcomes but there is little known about the long-term impact of CPs as part of a sustained quality management program. Head and neck (HN) surgery with...

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Main Authors: Joseph C. Dort, Khara M. Sauro, Shamir Chandarana, Christiaan Schrag, Jennifer Matthews, Steven Nakoneshny, Vida Manoloto, Tanya Miller, C. David McKenzie, Robert D. Hart, T. Wayne Matthews
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2020-06-01
Series:Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40463-020-00437-2
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author Joseph C. Dort
Khara M. Sauro
Shamir Chandarana
Christiaan Schrag
Jennifer Matthews
Steven Nakoneshny
Vida Manoloto
Tanya Miller
C. David McKenzie
Robert D. Hart
T. Wayne Matthews
author_facet Joseph C. Dort
Khara M. Sauro
Shamir Chandarana
Christiaan Schrag
Jennifer Matthews
Steven Nakoneshny
Vida Manoloto
Tanya Miller
C. David McKenzie
Robert D. Hart
T. Wayne Matthews
author_sort Joseph C. Dort
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Care pathways (CPs) are helpful in reducing unwanted variation in clinical care. Most studies of CPs show they improve clinical outcomes but there is little known about the long-term impact of CPs as part of a sustained quality management program. Head and neck (HN) surgery with free flap reconstruction is complex, time-consuming and expensive. Complications are common and therefore CPs applied to this patient population are the focus of this paper. In this paper we report outcomes from a 9 year experience designing and using CPs in the management of patients undergoing major head and neck resection with free flap reconstruction. Methods The Calgary quality management program and CP design is described the accompanying article. Data from CP managed patients undergoing major HN surgery were prospectively collected and compared to a baseline cohort of patients managed with standard care. Data were retrospectively analyzed and intergroup comparisons were made. Results Mobilization, decannulation time and hospital length of stay were significantly improved in pathway-managed patients (p = 0.001). Trend analysis showed sustained improvement in key performance indicators including complications. Return to the OR, primarily to assess a compromised flap, is increasing. Conclusions Care pathways when deployed as part of an ongoing quality management program are associated with improved clinical outcomes in this complex group of patients.
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spelling doaj-art-4e39dd6a68fb4d5a928561e9dac0a4ca2025-08-20T01:47:50ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery1916-02162020-06-014911910.1186/s40463-020-00437-2The impact of a quality management program for patients undergoing head and neck resection with free-flap reconstruction: longitudinal study examining sustainabilityJoseph C. Dort0Khara M. Sauro1Shamir Chandarana2Christiaan Schrag3Jennifer Matthews4Steven Nakoneshny5Vida Manoloto6Tanya Miller7C. David McKenzie8Robert D. Hart9T. Wayne Matthews10Section of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Calgary Cumming School of MedicineOhlson Research Initiative, Arnie Charbonneau Research Institute, University of Calgary Cumming School of MedicineSection of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Calgary Cumming School of MedicineOhlson Research Initiative, Arnie Charbonneau Research Institute, University of Calgary Cumming School of MedicineOhlson Research Initiative, Arnie Charbonneau Research Institute, University of Calgary Cumming School of MedicineOhlson Research Initiative, Arnie Charbonneau Research Institute, University of Calgary Cumming School of MedicineFoothills Medical Centre, Alberta Health ServicesFoothills Medical Centre, Alberta Health ServicesOhlson Research Initiative, Arnie Charbonneau Research Institute, University of Calgary Cumming School of MedicineSection of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Calgary Cumming School of MedicineSection of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Calgary Cumming School of MedicineAbstract Background Care pathways (CPs) are helpful in reducing unwanted variation in clinical care. Most studies of CPs show they improve clinical outcomes but there is little known about the long-term impact of CPs as part of a sustained quality management program. Head and neck (HN) surgery with free flap reconstruction is complex, time-consuming and expensive. Complications are common and therefore CPs applied to this patient population are the focus of this paper. In this paper we report outcomes from a 9 year experience designing and using CPs in the management of patients undergoing major head and neck resection with free flap reconstruction. Methods The Calgary quality management program and CP design is described the accompanying article. Data from CP managed patients undergoing major HN surgery were prospectively collected and compared to a baseline cohort of patients managed with standard care. Data were retrospectively analyzed and intergroup comparisons were made. Results Mobilization, decannulation time and hospital length of stay were significantly improved in pathway-managed patients (p = 0.001). Trend analysis showed sustained improvement in key performance indicators including complications. Return to the OR, primarily to assess a compromised flap, is increasing. Conclusions Care pathways when deployed as part of an ongoing quality management program are associated with improved clinical outcomes in this complex group of patients.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40463-020-00437-2Head and neck cancerCare pathwaysClinical pathwaysHead and neck surgeryClinical outcomes improvementQuality improvement
spellingShingle Joseph C. Dort
Khara M. Sauro
Shamir Chandarana
Christiaan Schrag
Jennifer Matthews
Steven Nakoneshny
Vida Manoloto
Tanya Miller
C. David McKenzie
Robert D. Hart
T. Wayne Matthews
The impact of a quality management program for patients undergoing head and neck resection with free-flap reconstruction: longitudinal study examining sustainability
Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Head and neck cancer
Care pathways
Clinical pathways
Head and neck surgery
Clinical outcomes improvement
Quality improvement
title The impact of a quality management program for patients undergoing head and neck resection with free-flap reconstruction: longitudinal study examining sustainability
title_full The impact of a quality management program for patients undergoing head and neck resection with free-flap reconstruction: longitudinal study examining sustainability
title_fullStr The impact of a quality management program for patients undergoing head and neck resection with free-flap reconstruction: longitudinal study examining sustainability
title_full_unstemmed The impact of a quality management program for patients undergoing head and neck resection with free-flap reconstruction: longitudinal study examining sustainability
title_short The impact of a quality management program for patients undergoing head and neck resection with free-flap reconstruction: longitudinal study examining sustainability
title_sort impact of a quality management program for patients undergoing head and neck resection with free flap reconstruction longitudinal study examining sustainability
topic Head and neck cancer
Care pathways
Clinical pathways
Head and neck surgery
Clinical outcomes improvement
Quality improvement
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40463-020-00437-2
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