In partnership with The Doctors Company, the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee (PSQI) recently performed a comprehensive review of all otolaryngology claims closed from 2005–2008 and from 2009–2011.
Claims involving endoscopic sinus surgery represented 27 percent of all claims against The Doctors Company otolaryngologists—more than any other category except cosmetic procedures (Figure 1). Between 2009 and 2011, 35 claims were closed based on events related to endoscopic sinus surgery. Of these, approximately half were extremely serious (e.g., permanent visual deficit, fatal meningitis) or extremely difficult to defend (e.g., retained packing). At the other end of the spectrum, roughly 25 percent of endoscopic sinus surgery claims were based solely on patient dissatisfaction with the results of the procedure (Figure 2).
Using a case-control methodology, risk factors were identified. To obtain a representative set of controls, a brief questionnaire was mailed to 500 of The Doctors Company’s insured otolaryngologists that asked them to provide basic demographic and clinical information about their most recent endoscopic sinus surgery case. With over 200 returned questionnaires, a formal case-control risk factor analysis was performed.
This study was not definitive because of methodological limitations. The closed claims are often several years old, while the control cases are from the present. Moreover, data on the closed claims do not always include detailed information such as the exact endoscopic surgical technique performed, whether the case was a revision surgery, and whether powered instrumentation was used. Nonetheless, some interesting findings emerged.
Data from the 2009–2011 claims were also entered into the Executive Information System (EIS) and coded for patient safety issues. Of the 167 claims involving ENT surgery, there were 367 risk management issues identified (more than one risk management issue can be found in each claim). The number-one allegation was improper performance of surgery (49 percent of the claims). This allegation was supported by the fact that several of the top individual risk management issues were also related to surgical care (such as possible technical problem, selection of surgical and invasive procedures, and poor technique).
The number-one individual risk management issue was possible technical problem. This code is used when a complication occurs but is a known risk of the procedure, and this risk was disclosed to the patient prior to surgery. However, in 8 percent of the cases, the provider failed to adequately document the informed consent discussion of risks.
A 62-year-old female with a history of nasal polyps and two previous sinus surgeries had bilateral endoscopic revision ethmoidectomy, antrostomy, and sphenoidotomy. The patient was well known to the physician. The consent documentation lacked any mention of the increased risk of double vision after these types of revisions; also, there was no discussion of the increased risk associated with an orbital wall defect. The physician did not use image guidance during the procedure. Postoperatively, the patient experienced periorbital bruising, mild disconjugate gaze, and possible medial rectus palsy. It was noted that there was heavy bleeding intraoperatively and a known preoperative orbital wall defect.
The patient was discharged from the surgicenter and was to follow up the next day. Shortly after discharge, the patient called complaining of severe eye pain and double vision. The patient was evaluated and sent for an orbital CT that showed a partial tear of the medial rectus. Although a number of surgeries were done, the patient suffered ongoing problems of limited range of gaze and exotropia.
Aware that these data are imperfect, the AAO-HNS PSQI and The Doctors Company are moving forward with a joint project to collect key demographic and patient data in real time as claims are analyzed. Once more current and statistically valid information is available and the risk factors for endoscopic sinus surgery are more clearly identified, we will share the results.
For all patients undergoing sinus surgery:
For higher-risk patients:
—If surgery is clearly the best option, the informed consent process should include disclosure of the higher risk to the individual patient with clear documentation that the patient understands and accepts these risks.
The guidelines suggested here are not rules, do not constitute legal advice, and do not ensure a successful outcome. The ultimate decision regarding the appropriateness of any treatment must be made by each healthcare provider considering the circumstances of the individual situation and in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which the care is rendered.
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