Benchmarking Surgical Outcomes

Abstract

June 2008

Section Essentials of Contemporary Practice

3 Benchmarking Surgical Outcomes

Emily V.A. Finlayson, MD, MS,
Assistant Professor of General Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School

John D. Birkmeyer, MD, FACS,
George D. Zuidema Professor of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Director of Bariatric Surgery, University of Michigan Health System

Interest in information about surgical outcomes is growing. This chapter discusses Internet-based public reporting programs and public use administrative databases that include clinical registries; clinical registries discussed include the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP), the database of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB), the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB), and the Bariatric Surgery Center Network (BSCN) and the Surgical Review Corporation (SCR) for outcomes of bariatric surgery. Limitations of all the registries are discussed, including sample size and generalizability. Registries for patient volumes (Healthgrades, the Leapfrog Group) and patient satisfaction (Press-Ganey) are mentioned. Tables show public use administrative databases and clinical outcomes and operative mortality (by database).This chapter contains 7 references.

50 King Street East, 2nd floor, PO Box 620, LCD1, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3K7, Canada Tel: 905-522-7017 Fax: 905-522-7839