Mihiar Sami Atfeh1,2,3, James Richardson-May4, James Rainsbury4. 1. University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK. mihiaratfeh@nhs.net. 2. Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK. mihiaratfeh@nhs.net. 3. The ENT Department, Level 7, Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, UK. mihiaratfeh@nhs.net. 4. University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK.
Abstract
Tonsillectomy is one of the commonest ENT paediatric procedures. Recovery is best achieved at home, and cost-effectiveness of the day case pathway is significant in tonsillectomy. This project scrutinised the local practice regarding the effectiveness of day case pathway in paediatric tonsillectomy in a large regional teaching hospital. The project aimed to improve the rates of day case tonsillectomy discharges, to increase compliance of postoperative care with guidelines, and to assess long-term sustainability of the new practice. The project looked prospectively at the pre-existing paediatric tonsillectomy day case practice (cycle 1) prior to implementing a multifaceted intervention. The intervention consisted of an evidence-based change to local day case tonsillectomy guidelines, improved lists' planning/management, and clinicians' education. Thereafter, the outcomes were measured in the short term (cycle 2-prospective data collection) and in the long term (cycle 3-retrospective data collection). The gathered data revealed an improvement in post-tonsillectomy day case discharge rates (both short and long term), without an increase in postoperative complications. Moreover, our intervention had effectively reduced sleep study requests and resulted in a significant increase in list profitability. Conclusion: The departmental practice in paediatric day case tonsillectomy was improved via evidence-based relaxation of day case criteria, improved list management, and clinicians' education. The interventions resulted also in a positive significant financial impact with no increase in postoperative complications. What is Known: • Tonsillectomy is a common paediatric ENT procedure, with significant applicability and cost-effectiveness of the day case pathway. • There is a lack of a clear general consensus on criteria for patients' suitability for day case tonsillectomy. What is New: • This quality improvement project carried out a methodical relaxation of day case criteria of day case tonsillectomy. • The new criteria along with enhanced list management and clinician education had safely improved the local post-tonsillectomy day case care.
Tonsillectomy is one of the commonest ENT paediatric procedures. Recovery is best achieved at home, and cost-effectiveness of the day case pathway is significant in tonsillectomy. This project scrutinised the local practice regarding the effectiveness of day case pathway in paediatric tonsillectomy in a large regional teaching hospital. The project aimed to improve the rates of day case tonsillectomy discharges, to increase compliance of postoperative care with guidelines, and to assess long-term sustainability of the new practice. The project looked prospectively at the pre-existing paediatric tonsillectomy day case practice (cycle 1) prior to implementing a multifaceted intervention. The intervention consisted of an evidence-based change to local day case tonsillectomy guidelines, improved lists' planning/management, and clinicians' education. Thereafter, the outcomes were measured in the short term (cycle 2-prospective data collection) and in the long term (cycle 3-retrospective data collection). The gathered data revealed an improvement in post-tonsillectomy day case discharge rates (both short and long term), without an increase in postoperative complications. Moreover, our intervention had effectively reduced sleep study requests and resulted in a significant increase in list profitability. Conclusion: The departmental practice in paediatric day case tonsillectomy was improved via evidence-based relaxation of day case criteria, improved list management, and clinicians' education. The interventions resulted also in a positive significant financial impact with no increase in postoperative complications. What is Known: • Tonsillectomy is a common paediatric ENT procedure, with significant applicability and cost-effectiveness of the day case pathway. • There is a lack of a clear general consensus on criteria for patients' suitability for day case tonsillectomy. What is New: • This quality improvement project carried out a methodical relaxation of day case criteria of day case tonsillectomy. • The new criteria along with enhanced list management and clinician education had safely improved the local post-tonsillectomy day case care.
Entities:
Keywords:
Adenotonsillectomy; Day case; Paediatric; Quality improvement; Tonsillectomy