P J T Chiam1, A Feyi-Waboso. 1. Eye Department, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, UK. pjtchiam@yahoo.com
Abstract
AIM: To apply the control chart method to retrospectively analyse the variation in postcataract surgery endophthalmitis. METHODS: The endophthalmitis data between 01/07/97 and 30/06/07 (10 years) at the Royal Gwent Hospital were analysed using the control chart method. Certain criteria related to the control chart were employed to detect unusual variations and early outbreaks of endophthalmitis. RESULTS: A total of 21 032 cases of cataract were performed in that period, with a mean annual incidence of 0.16%. The control chart could provide a reliable method to detect an early outbreak of endophthalmitis before it was suspected and acted on. The chart provided visual information of the altering trends of endophthalmitis cases and allows unusual variations to be detected early. CONCLUSION: The control chart is potentially a sensitive method to detect anomaly in the cases of postcataract surgery endophthalmitis. Its control limits are dynamic and factor in recent performance to detect any unusual variation.
AIM: To apply the control chart method to retrospectively analyse the variation in postcataract surgery endophthalmitis. METHODS: The endophthalmitis data between 01/07/97 and 30/06/07 (10 years) at the Royal Gwent Hospital were analysed using the control chart method. Certain criteria related to the control chart were employed to detect unusual variations and early outbreaks of endophthalmitis. RESULTS: A total of 21 032 cases of cataract were performed in that period, with a mean annual incidence of 0.16%. The control chart could provide a reliable method to detect an early outbreak of endophthalmitis before it was suspected and acted on. The chart provided visual information of the altering trends of endophthalmitis cases and allows unusual variations to be detected early. CONCLUSION: The control chart is potentially a sensitive method to detect anomaly in the cases of postcataract surgery endophthalmitis. Its control limits are dynamic and factor in recent performance to detect any unusual variation.
Authors: Miguel Cordero-Coma; Taygan Yilmaz; William V Padula; Esther Rodriguez; Steven T Lanier Journal: Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol Date: 2010-09-08 Impact factor: 3.117