Continuous quality improvement efforts decrease postoperative ileus rates.

This article describes a continuous quality improvement team's efforts to reduce the number of patients at risk for developing a postoperative ileus. This study was limited to patients who underwent a surgical procedure that did not involve the bowel. Patients who developed an ileus after the surgical procedure (study group) were compared with patients who did not develop an ileus after the same procedure (control group). Principal factors associated with a postoperative ileus included a low serum albumin level, excessive use of narcotics, and a history of a previous gastrointestinal condition. Practice changes were made as a result of these findings. A follow-up chart review revealed a decrease in the postoperative ileus rate.