Postsurgical follow-up of children with tympanostomy tubes: Results of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Pediatric Otolaryngology Committee National Survey

2000 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-318
Author(s):  
Craig S. Derkay ◽  
Jeffrey D. Carron ◽  
Brian J. Wiatrak ◽  
Sukgi S. Choi ◽  
Jacqueline E. Jones

Postsurgical follow-up of children with tympanostomy tubes is becoming a contentious issue in this era of managed care. Primary care providers believe themselves to be capable of evaluating these children. Otolaryngologists, on the other hand, have more specialized equipment available to them (suction apparatus, otomicroscopes, audiology devices, etc) for treating suppurative infections and monitoring the tympanic membrane for structural changes. In addition, the otolaryngologist is placed in an uncomfortable legal and ethical position if access to the patient with a tube-related complication is denied by the primary care provider. Attempts to develop an American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) policy statement have been hampered by a lack of data on the incidence and severity of tube-related complications and the role that otolaryngologists can play in reducing these sequelae. A survey designed by the AAO-HNS Pediatric Otolaryngology Committee was distributed to 1000 board-certified otolaryngologists and all members of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics–Otolaryngology Section regarding current practice patterns and practitioners' experiences with tympanostomy tube complications. Specific information regarding complications that could have been avoided with earlier otolaryngology referral was also obtained. The results of the survey and its implications for AAO-HNS policy are presented.

2000 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig S. Derkay ◽  
Jeffrey D. Carron ◽  
Brian J. Wiatrak ◽  
Sukgi S. Choi ◽  
Jacqueline E. Jones

Postsurgical follow-up of children with tympanostomy tubes is becoming a contentious issue in this era of managed care. Primary care providers believe themselves to be capable of evaluating these children. Otolaryngologists, on the other hand, have more specialized equipment available to them (suction apparatus, otomicroscopes, audiology devices, etc) for treating suppurative infections and monitoring the tympanic membrane for structural changes. In addition, the otolaryngologist is placed in an uncomfortable legal and ethical position if access to the patient with a tube-related complication is denied by the primary care provider. Attempts to develop an American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) policy statement have been hampered by a lack of data on the incidence and severity of tube-related complications and the role that otolaryngologists can play in reducing these sequelae. A survey designed by the AAO-HNS Pediatric Otolaryngology Committee was distributed to 1000 board-certified otolaryngologists and all members of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics-Otolaryngology Section regarding current practice patterns and practitioners' experiences with tympanostomy tube complications. Specific information regarding complications that could have been avoided with earlier otolaryngology referral was also obtained. The results of the survey and its implications for AAO-HNS policy are presented.


2017 ◽  
Vol 158 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew G. Crowson ◽  
Vincent Lin

Objectives To evaluate the proportion of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery (OHNS) providers who are rural versus urban based from 2002 to 2013. Secondary objective was to present perspectives of rural primary care providers on unmet needs for OHNS services. Study Design Mixed methods database analysis and prospective survey. Setting National administrative database. Subjects and Methods The Canadian Medical Association OHNS provider Masterfile and the Statistics Canada postal code file were used to determine provincial, urban, rural, and Aboriginal group care coverage. The Society of Rural Physicians of Canada was surveyed to explore care delivery and unmet needs for OHNS and audiology. Descriptive statistics and linear regression were used to describe results. Results Ontario and Quebec had the largest annual OHNS physician growth (6.38 providers/year; r2 = 0.94) versus stagnant growth in the territories. The clear majority of OHNS providers are in urban centers, and rural OHNS coverage is decreasing annually (–0.33 providers/year, r2 = 0.28). There are no OHNS providers in 485 population centers where Aboriginal groups are located. A survey of 40 rural primary care providers reported that OHNS care is most commonly delivered through seasonal visits to a local facility, with otology (hearing loss, chronic ear disease) and rhinology (nonmalignant nasal or sinus conditions) as the most frequently reported unmet needs. Conclusion From 2002 to 2013, OHNS coverage showed a trend for urban consolidation. Most Aboriginal groups may have decreased access to care, as there are no OHNS providers in 485 population centers where reserves are located. There is an unmet need for specialized OHNS services reported by rural primary care physicians, especially otology and rhinology.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 1054-1063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajay Niranjan ◽  
David Mathieu ◽  
John C. Flickinger ◽  
Douglas Kondziolka ◽  
L. Dade Lunsford

Abstract OBJECTIVE Tumor control, facial function preservation, and hearing preservation are important criteria for successful management of intracanalicular vestibular schwannomas, whether observation, microsurgery, or radiosurgery is chosen. We collected data prospectively to assess hearing preservation after intracanalicular vestibular schwannoma radiosurgery. METHODS Between 1987 and 2003, 96 patients (65 men and 31 women) underwent gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for intracanalicular tumors. The median patient age was 54 years (range, 22–80 years). Hearing was graded using the Gardner-Robertson (GR) and the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery classifications. Dose planning was performed on intraoperative stereotactic images using multiple 4-mm isocenters. The median tumor volume was 0.112 mm3 (range, 0.05–0.447 mm3), and the median margin dose was 13 Gy (range, 10–18 Gy). RESULTS The mean and median audiologic follow-up periods were 42 months and 28 months (range, 12–144 months), respectively. Serviceable hearing was preserved in 31 of 40 (77.5%) patients with initial American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Class A hearing. Serviceable hearing was preserved in 40 of 79 (64.5%) patients with GR Grade I or II pre-SRS hearing. Ninety-two patients had GR Grade I, II, or III hearing before SRS, and GR Grade I, II, or III hearing was maintained in 78 patients (85%). Hearing grades improved in 7 patients. Facial and trigeminal nerve function was preserved in all patients. The tumor control rate (freedom from additional intervention) was 99.0% (95 of 96) at a median follow-up of 28 months (range, 12–144 months). One patient underwent tumor resection 18 months after radiosurgery. CONCLUSION SRS is a minimally invasive first-line management option for patients with intracanalicular tumors and provides high rates of hearing preservation with minimal morbidity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laney K. Jones ◽  
Megan McMinn ◽  
David Kann ◽  
Michael Lesko ◽  
Amy C. Sturm ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Individuals with complex dyslipidemia, or those with medication intolerance, are often difficult to manage in primary care. They require the additional attention, expertise, and adherence counseling that occurs in multidisciplinary lipid clinics (MDLCs). We conducted a program evaluation of the first year of a newly implemented MDLC utilizing the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) framework to provide empirical data not only on program effectiveness, but also on components important to local sustainability and future generalizability. Methods The purpose of the MDLC is to increase the uptake of guideline-based care for lipid conditions. Established in 2019, the MDLC provides care via a centralized clinic location within the healthcare system. Primary care providers and cardiologists were invited to refer individuals with lipid conditions. Using a pre/post-study design, we evaluated the implementation outcomes from the MDLC using the RE-AIM framework. Results In 2019, 420 referrals were made to the MDLC (reach). Referrals were made by 19% (148) of the 796 active cardiology and primary care providers, with an average of 35 patient referrals per month in 2019 (SD 12) (adoption). The MDLC saw 83 patients in 2019 (reach). Additionally, 50% (41/82) had at least one follow-up MDLC visit, and 12% (10/82) had two or more follow-up visits in 2019 (implementation). In patients seen by the MDLC, we found an improved diagnosis of specific lipid conditions (FH (familial hypercholesterolemia), hypertriglyceridemia, and dyslipidemia), increased prescribing of evidence-based therapies, high rates of medication prior authorization approvals, and significant reductions in lipid levels by lipid condition subgroup (effectiveness). Over time, the operations team decided to transition from in-person follow-up to telehealth appointments to increase capacity and sustain the clinic (maintenance). Conclusions Despite limited reach and adoption of the MDLC, we found a large intervention effect that included improved diagnosis, increased prescribing of guideline-recommended treatments, and clinically significant reduction of lipid levels. Attention to factors including solutions to decrease the large burden of unseen referrals, discussion of the appropriate number and duration of visits, and sustainability of the clinic model could aid in enhancing the success of the MDLC and improving outcomes for more patients throughout the system.


2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982098413
Author(s):  
Cecelia E. Schmalbach ◽  
Jean Brereton ◽  
Cathlin Bowman ◽  
James C. Denneny

Objective (1) To describe the patient and membership cohort captured by the otolaryngology-based specialty-specific Reg-ent registry. (2) To outline the capabilities of the Reg-ent registry, including the process by which members can access evidence-based data to address knowledge gaps identified by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery/Foundation and ultimately define “quality” for our field of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery. Methods Data analytics was performed on Reg-ent (2015-2020) Results A total of 1629 participants from 239 practices were enrolled in Reg-ent, and 42 health care specialties were represented. Reg-ent encompassed 6,496,477 unique patients and 24,296,713 encounters/visits: the 45- to 64-year age group had the highest representation (n = 1,597,618, 28.1%); 3,867,835 (60.3%) patients identified as Caucasian; and “private” was the most common insurance (33%), followed by Blue Cross/Blue Shield (22%). Allergic rhinitis–unspecified and sensorineural hearing loss–bilateral were the top 2 diagnoses (9% each). Overall, 302 research gaps were identified from 17 clinical practice guidelines. Discussion Reg-ent benefits are vast—from monitoring one’s practice to defining otolaryngology–head and neck surgery quality, participating in advocacy, and conducting research. Reg-ent provides mechanisms for benchmarking, quality assessment, and performance measure development, with the objective of defining and guiding best practice in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery. To be successful, patient diversity must be achieved to include ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Increasing academic medical center membership will assist in achieving diversity so that the quality domain of equitable care is achieved. Implications for Practice Reg-ent provides the first ever registry that is specific to otolaryngology–head and neck surgery and compliant with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) to collect patient outcomes and define evidence-based quality care.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Wierzbicka-Rot ◽  
Artur Gadomski

In February 2019 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery published clinical practice guidelines which provides evidence-based recommendations that applies to children under consideration for tonsillectomy. This update to the 2011 publication includes large amount of new, practical information about pre-, intra- and postoperative care and management, that can be useful for surgeons as well as GPs and pediatricians


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