Hysterectomy: benefits of clinical performance indicators in the evaluation of healthcare facilities.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to verify, by applying clinical performance indicators, the quality of healthcare given to hysterectomy patients and the benefits on their adoption in healthcare facilities. METHODS: The different surgical approaches and indications for surgery were evaluated in 534 patients analysing postoperative short-term complications and triggered clinical performance indicators (CPIs). RESULTS: Surgery was performed by the abdominal (80.9%) and vaginal route (19.1%). Postoperative complication rate was 13.5% and CPIs were triggered 108 times overall: 42 in benign conditions (10.3%) and 30 in malignancy (23.4%) (p = 0.001). In patients operated on for benign conditions the different approaches, abdominal or vaginal, showed differences in postoperative period (p = 0.4). In 10.9% of malignant and in 2.9% of benign conditions hospital stay was triggered (p = 0.001). Vaginal surgery showed a shorter average stay than laparotomy (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of CPIs may determine a refinement of clinical performance with positive effects on health, patient satisfaction, postoperative morbidity hospitalisation and healthcare cost savings.