RESUMEN
To deal with medical malpractice, apart from sanctions an ethical code has been developed since ancient times which shapes our present expectation of a good physician. A century ago, industrialization and standardization initiated medical quality management in the USA. In the 1950s, the Japanese concept of total quality management arose, winning huge influence also in medicine. Every recent system of certification or accreditation originates from these roots.In the last 15 years in Germany, minimum standards in health care have been enforced by law with increasing sophistication. Additionally, self-governed institutions of physicians have been clearly contributing to the quality of care.Quality management has become an integral part of the German healthcare system, most notably in risk management and patient orientation. There are also a multitude of voluntary physician-driven initiatives to improve the quality of care, among others the guidelines of the medical societies.A survey was conducted by the author to evaluate the implementation of quality management in otolaryngological departments and practices. The degree of implementation was predominately higher than for the national peers.Currently there are substantial challenges to the health care system which impact the quality of care. Lack of funding, shortage of qualified staff, societal changes and effects of rapid scientific progress are a few to name.To achieve a broad implementation of quality management in the future, wise political decisions and proper funding are crucial - the concept as such has long been accepted.
Asunto(s)
Otolaringología , Atención a la Salud , Alemania , Hospitales , Humanos , Estándares de ReferenciaRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Health-related quality of life measurements are gaining in importance in clinical medicine. Little is known about the long-term quality of life changes after septorhinoplasty. This study was designed to analyse the long-term quality of life impacts of septorhinoplasty, using disease-specific instruments-rhinoplasty outcome evaluation (ROE) and Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory-17 (FROI-17); as well as a generic instrument-Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). METHODS: Patients completed the FROI-17, the ROE and the SF-36 preoperatively and at 12 and 60 months postoperatively. General demographic and clinical information (age, gender, allergies, medication, medical and surgical history) were collected from all patients. RESULTS: We report a significant increase in disease-specific QOL after primary septorhinoplasty (as measured with the ROE & FROI-17) and in two scales of the SF-36 generic instrument (role-functioning physical and mental health) 1 year after surgery. Our patients showed further significant increase in disease-specific QOL (FROI-17) after their primary septorhinoplasty (1 year vs. 5 years postoperatively). SF-36 results showed significant improvements 5 years postoperatively (compared to preoperative scores) in six out of eight scales (physical functioning, role-functioning physical, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning and mental health). CONCLUSION: Septorhinoplasty can improve disease-specific and non-disease-specific QOL in the short- and long-term postoperative period. These improvements remain measurable 5 years after surgery.
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Calidad de Vida/psicología , Rinoplastia/psicología , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Rinoplastia/métodosRESUMEN
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a psychiatric disorder defined by an excessive concern about one's physical appearance, especially regarding slight or imagined abnormities of the body. This study was conducted to compare postoperative quality of life (QOL) changes after primary septorhinoplasty among patients screening positive and those screening negative for BDD. Two common instruments for the screening of BDD were used namely the Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ) and the BDD Concern Questionnaire (BDDQ). For the determination of QOL changes, three validated screening instruments were used. The Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory (FROI-17) and the Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation (ROE) were used as disease-specific instruments and the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) was used as a general instrument. All patients completed the FROI-17, the ROE, and the SF-36 preoperatively and 60 months postoperatively. The BDD questionnaires were singularly obtained 60 months after surgery. The authors identified 9.8% of our patients with a possible BDD diagnosis. The patients screening positive for BDD showed significantly lower ROE scores postoperatively, compared with those screening negative for BDD. QOL gains detected by the disease-specific instruments (ROE and FROI-17) were only significant in the non-BDD group. No significant QOL gains were detectable with the FROI-17, the ROE, and the SF-36 in the BDD group. In patients screening negative for BDD, QOL, as measured with the SF-36, improved significantly in five categories: physical functioning, role-functioning physical, bodily pain, general health, and social functioning. Patients screening positive for BDD did not improve in any categories of the general SF-36 questionnaire. Instead, their score in the "mental health" category was significantly lower 5 years after their surgery compared with preoperatively. Patients retrospectively screening positive for BDD in our cohort did not improve in QOL postoperatively. Alternative nonsurgical treatments such as cognitive behavioral treatment and/or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been reported to be effective and should be considered as the treatment of choice. Some studies suggest that a smaller subgroup of BDD patients may benefit from functional rhinoplasty. Further research and larger long-term prospective outcome studies are needed to understand the influence of BDD symptoms on postoperative satisfaction and QOL changes after septorhinoplasty.
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Trastorno Dismórfico Corporal/psicología , Tabique Nasal/cirugía , Calidad de Vida , Rinoplastia , Adolescente , Adulto , Trastorno Dismórfico Corporal/diagnóstico , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Periodo Posoperatorio , Periodo Preoperatorio , Escalas de Valoración Psiquiátrica , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
The aim of this study was to validate a German version of the rhinoplasty outcomes evaluation (ROE) questionnaire. A prospective study was conducted and a German translated ROE (ROE-D) questionnaire administered to 100 patients preoperatively, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The translation was performed according to internationally accepted guidelines. To validate this instrument, we evaluated its reliability, validity and sensitivity. ROE-D was completed by 54 patients after 6 months and by 69 patients 1 year after functional rhinoplasty. Cronbach's α indicated good internal consistency. Reliability was tested with a split-half-reliability, showing significant correlation. Discrimination validity was demonstrated by a comparison with healthy controls. Sensitivity to change showed medium to large effects. ROE-D is a reliable, validated and sensitive German instrument for measuring health-related quality of life in patients after rhinoplasty. The ROE-D focuses mainly on the aesthetic aspects of the rhinoplasty surgery.
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Calidad de Vida , Rinoplastia , Cirugía Plástica , Encuestas y Cuestionarios/normas , Adulto , Femenino , Alemania , Humanos , Masculino , Evaluación de Resultado en la Atención de Salud , Evaluación del Resultado de la Atención al Paciente , Periodo Posoperatorio , Estudios Prospectivos , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Rinoplastia/efectos adversos , Rinoplastia/métodos , Rinoplastia/psicología , Cirugía Plástica/efectos adversos , Cirugía Plástica/métodos , Cirugía Plástica/psicología , TraduccionesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Quality of life measurements in septorhinoplasty patients so far have taken place only to a small extent. The aim of the present study was a prospective measurement of disease-specific quality of life with a newly developed and validated instrument, the Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory 17 (FROI-17). METHODS: The patients completed the FROI-17 and the Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) as disease-specific instruments preoperatively as well as 12 months postoperatively. As a general instrument, the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) was used. Furthermore, additional general questions were answered at both time points. RESULTS: Out of the 103 patients, 69 patients (32 men, 37 women) responded after 12 months (response rate 67%). Thirteen patients (18%) were not satisfied with the result of surgery. However, all scales of FROI-17 and also ROE showed a significant postoperative improvement of subjective assessments by the patients. In the SF-36, this was true in 2 out of 8 scales (mental health and role-functioning physical). Furthermore, we found significant correlations between the FROI-17 and the SF-36 scales but not between the ROE and the SF-36 scales. CONCLUSION: The disease-specific quality of life was significantly improved by septorhinoplasty. FROI-17 scales detect more functional aspects compared with the ROE thus establishing significant correlations with general quality of life measured by SF-36. The application of both FROI-17 and ROE in future clinical trials in septorhinoplasty patients is recommended.
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Evaluación de Resultado en la Atención de Salud , Calidad de Vida , Rinoplastia , Adulto , Femenino , Alemania , Humanos , Masculino , Tabique Nasal/cirugía , Satisfacción del Paciente , Estudios Prospectivos , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Quality of life aspects become more and more important in all fields of medicine. There is a lack of such instruments for septorhinoplasty that cover sufficiently both functional and aesthetic aspects. METHODOLOGY: In Phase 1, a group of experts identified 22 questions that represent the symptoms of patients with nasal deformities, which undergo a functional and aesthetic nasal surgery. Forty-one patients filled out the questionnaires before septorhinoplasty. The item assessment and item reduction was performed by a sequential statistical analysis, which included a single item analysis, an assessment of internal consistency, construct validity, the divergence validity and a factor analysis. The resulting 17-item questionnaire was used in a prospective validation study (Phase 2) in which 103 patients were enrolled. Statistical analysis included testing of validity, reliability and responsiveness. RESULTS: In Phase 2 data analysis revealed a good internal consistency and significant test-retest reliability. A literature survey confirmed that the relevant items were included in the questionnaire. We found significant item-score-correlations. Furthermore, the existence of concurrent validity was confirmed. Standardized Response Mean (SRM) as a measure for sensitivity to change indicated moderate to large effects. CONCLUSION: FROI-17 is a valid quality of life instrument for use in septorhinoplasty patients. The instrument is now available for prospective data collection in future septorhinoplasty outcome studies.
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Evaluación de Resultado en la Atención de Salud/normas , Psicometría/instrumentación , Rinoplastia/instrumentación , Humanos , Tabique Nasal/cirugía , Evaluación de Resultado en la Atención de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Satisfacción del Paciente , Estudios Prospectivos , Calidad de Vida , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Rinoplastia/normas , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Septorhinoplasty (SRPL) can improve quality of life (QoL) in functional and aesthetical aspects of the nose. A key factor compromising postoperative satisfaction is symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), defined by excessive concerns and distress over slight or imagined physical defects. Although a high prevalence of BDD in SRPL patients is evident, the effect of positive screening on BDD and other psychiatric disorders is understudied. It was hypothesized that patients screening positive for BDD, depression or anxiety do not show increased postoperative QoL. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective study including 259 patients. For psychiatric evaluation, the BDD concern questionnaire-aesthetic version and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used; for disease-specific QoL the Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation (ROE) and the Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory (FROI-17). RESULTS: In preoperative evaluation, 32.5% had a positive screening for BDD, 42.2% for increased anxiety, and 32.9% for depression. Mean QoL improved in the whole cohort (FROI total score: 54.4 ± 21.8 to 32.8 ± 23.7 and ROE: 32.3 ± 15.6 to 69.8 ± 23.1, both p < 0.001). Patients screening positive for BDD, depression or anxiety did show an increased postoperative QoL, but to a significantly lower degree and with lower pre- and postoperative QoL levels. CONCLUSIONS: SRPL patients show a high prevalence of BDD symptoms, elevated anxiety, and depression. These subgroups show lower QoL levels and an impaired QoL increase after surgery. Rhinoplasty surgeons must be aware of the disorders and their symptoms, discuss potential concerns with the patients, and potentially refer them to a specialist. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:2187-2193, 2024.
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Trastorno Dismórfico Corporal , Rinoplastia , Humanos , Rinoplastia/psicología , Calidad de Vida , Trastorno Dismórfico Corporal/diagnóstico , Estudios Prospectivos , Depresión/diagnóstico , Depresión/epidemiología , Depresión/etiología , Ansiedad/diagnóstico , Ansiedad/epidemiología , Ansiedad/etiología , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
PURPOSE: This prospective phase II study was undertaken to assess the feasibility of a larynx preservation protocol with simultaneous radiochemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 3/1998 and 10/2000, 42 patients with moderately advanced cancer of the larynx (n=25) and hypopharynx (n=17) eligible for total laryngectomy (LE) were treated in a prospective larynx preservation study. The study protocol scheduled 66Gy in 5 weeks using a concomitant boost technique and 70mg/m(2) Carboplatin on days 1-5 in weeks 1 and 5. RESULTS: The median follow-up time of the censored study patients was 41 months (9-95 months). The 5-year overall survival was 0.66 (95% CI 0.48-0.84), the 5-year laryngectomy-free survival 0.60 (95% CI 0.42-0.78), and the laryngeal preservation rate at 5 years 0.67 (95% CI 0.49-0.85). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed the total tumor volume to be the only statistically significant factor on locoregional failure-free survival. Six of 23 tumor-free long-term survivors received a tracheotomy because of late laryngeal toxicity associated with dysphagia 30-79 months after radiochemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the late laryngeal toxicity observed the value of this regimen for larynx preservation is limited.
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Antineoplásicos/uso terapéutico , Carboplatino/uso terapéutico , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/tratamiento farmacológico , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/radioterapia , Neoplasias Laríngeas/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias Laríngeas/radioterapia , Adulto , Anciano , Terapia Combinada , Estudios de Factibilidad , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pronóstico , Modelos de Riesgos Proporcionales , Estudios Prospectivos , Dosificación Radioterapéutica , Tasa de Supervivencia , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
ISSUE ADDRESSED: Since 1992, swimming pool fencing has been a legislative requirement in New South Wales (NSW), yet compliance with the NSW Swimming Pool Act is mixed. Local councils are responsible for the enforcement of the act. However, their approach to enforcement and the management of backyard swimming pool safety inspections is varied. METHODS: A random sample of backyard swimming pools was inspected in Council A and existing compliance data for pools in two other councils (B and C) were obtained. Pool owners in Council A were surveyed regarding their attitudes to pool fencing and inspections. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with council employees. RESULTS: Pool compliance rates across the three council areas varied. In Councils A and C, 51% and 54% of pools, respectively, were found to be non-compliant at the first inspection. Following re-inspection in Council A of 227 pools, a further 125 pools reached compliance. In Council B, 97% of the inspected pools were compliant. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of poor backyard swimming pool safety compliance where local government inspection activity is minimal or non-existent.
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Ahogamiento/prevención & control , Seguridad , Piscinas/legislación & jurisprudencia , Códigos de Edificación/legislación & jurisprudencia , Regulación Gubernamental , Adhesión a Directriz/legislación & jurisprudencia , Humanos , Nueva Gales del SurRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Analysis of laryngotracheoscopic findings of the upper airway tract following percutaneous tracheostomy using the technique according to Griggs. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study PATIENTS: Nineteen of 32 long-term surviving patients (mean follow-up duration, 17 months; range, 11 to 23 months) underwent a modified Griggs tracheostomy during their stay in the ICU following cardiothoracic surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Nineteen patients gave their informed consent for laryngotracheoscopy to localize and assess the percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) puncture site, to evaluate the laryngotracheal morphology, and to quantify tracheal stenosis if present. In addition, specific symptoms of the upper airway tract were evaluated. RESULTS: At the time of examination, no clinically relevant cases of stenoses were found, although one patient had undergone surgical revision of the PDT for extensive granulation prior to our examination. The endoscopic examination revealed that 12 of 19 patients (63%) had tracheal stenoses > 10%, and 2 patients had tracheal stenoses > 25%. In 7 of 19 patients (32%), the cricoid cartilage was affected by the PDT site. Despite endoscopic guidance during PDT, the location of the puncture site was found to vary greatly. CONCLUSION: In contrast to recent reports on the long-term outcome after Griggs PDT, we found tracheal stenoses > 10% in 63% of our patients. The grade of stenosis depended mainly on the puncture site of the PDT. Based on these results, we would emphasize the importance of adequate endoscopic guidance during PDT. Further studies are required in order to clarify the risk of long-term complications arising after PDT using the technique of Griggs.
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Laringoscopía/métodos , Complicaciones Posoperatorias , Estenosis Traqueal/diagnóstico , Traqueostomía/métodos , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Estenosis Traqueal/cirugía , Traqueostomía/efectos adversosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Glufosfamide is a novel alkylating agent in which the active metabolite of isophosphoramide mustard is glycosidically linked to beta-D-glucose. Targeting the elevated glucose uptake of tumor cells expressing the SAAT1 glucose transporter, glufosfamide represents an attractive new drug for cancer chemotherapy. The present study investigates the ex vivo responsiveness of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) specimens to glufosfamide. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-one unselected HNSCC specimens were investigated using a novel ex vivo colony formation assay to determine the epithelial drug response. The individual responsiveness to glufosfamide and to cis-platinum was determined. RESULTS: Five out of 21 evaluable HNSCC specimens were sensitive to glufosfamide. There was a tendency for glufosfamide sensitivity in platinum-resistant specimens and vice versa. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of glufosfamide observed in the present ex vivo study suggests at least an equipotentiality of glufosfamide in comparison to cis-platinum. The potential clinical usefulness of glufosfamide in HNSCC warrants further evaluation.
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Antineoplásicos Alquilantes/farmacología , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/tratamiento farmacológico , Mostazas de Fosforamida/farmacología , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/patología , Cisplatino/farmacología , Ensayos de Selección de Medicamentos Antitumorales , Glucosa/análogos & derivados , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/patología , Humanos , Ifosfamida/análogos & derivados , Estadificación de Neoplasias , Células Madre Neoplásicas/efectos de los fármacos , Ensayo de Tumor de Célula MadreRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate laryngotracheal stenoses in the long-term outcome after percutaneous tracheostomy. METHODS: Between 1997 and 2000, 162 patients were tracheostomized during their postoperative stay at the intensive care unit of the Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Heidelberg. Thirty-eight of 80 long-term surviving patients (mean follow-up: 22 months, range: 7-50 months) gave their informed consent to follow-up laryngotracheoscopy. By using this technique, we localized the tracheostomy site, evaluated the laryngotracheal morphology, and quantified laryngotracheal stenosis planimetrically. RESULTS: Clinically relevant stenoses were found in one patient. Another patient had undergone surgical revision of the percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) prior to our examination. The endoscopic examination revealed that 89.5% (34/38) of the patients exhibited tracheal stenosis, less than 25% without clinical symptoms. Despite endoscopic guidance during PDT, the location of the puncture site was found to vary greatly. Cricoidal lesions were identified in 15 patients. In only 12 patients (31.6%), the PDT had been placed at the optimal location between the first and the second tracheal ring. In these patients, we found the lowest rate of tracheal stenosis in tracheotomies without fractured tracheal rings. CONCLUSION: Since clinically relevant tracheal stenosis has been found to depend mainly on the puncture site of the PDT and tracheal fractures during PDT, we want to emphasize the importance of adequate endoscopic guidance during and the careful performance of the PDT. Further follow-up studies are necessary to improve and ensure the quality of PDT techniques.