Improving Timeliness of Vocal Fold Mechanical Injury Screening Following Norwood or Arch Reconstruction: A Quality Improvement Initiative at a Single Center.

Vocal fold (VF) immobility is a common complication after pediatric cardiothoracic surgeries involving the aortic arch and conotruncal region. Nasolaryngoscopy is considered the standard for diagnosis but is invasive and requires expertise and special resources. VF ultrasound (VF US) is an efficient, non-invasive alternative for VF evaluation in the post-cardiac surgical setting. Our aim was to improve screening rates for vocal fold motion impairment (VFMI) by implementing VF US in a group of pre-identified high-risk patients after index cardiac surgeries using Quality Improvement (QI) methodology. The QI project included formation of a widely representative stakeholder team, collaborative development of a screening protocol for the cohort of patients in our tertiary center. Baseline data were derived by retrospective review of screening and incidence of VFMI in a similar post-surgical cohort in 2 years prior to this intervention. We implemented an US screening algorithm with multidisciplinary care coordination. We evaluated feeding practices and length of stay (LOS) related to our screening interventions and documented follow up practices. Screening for VFMI by ultrasound increased from 59 to 92% after implementation of the VF screening protocol. Additionally, time between extubation and VF US decreased from 7.7 to 2.3 days. The positive predictive value of VF US was 96%. Patients with VFMI had a longer LOS and greater dependence on tube feeds at discharge after index surgery. We successfully implemented an ultrasound-based screening protocol for VFMI and demonstrated improved screening, timeliness and high positive predictive value of ultrasound.