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Optimizing Value in Otolaryngology Through Patient Safety and Quality Improvements

  • SPECIAL TOPICS: Value Based Care in Otolaryngology (L Ishii and T Tollefson, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Otorhinolaryngology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The goals of this paper are to explore the relationship between patient safety/quality improvement (PS/QI) activities and value generation in the field of otolaryngology and to suggest future opportunities for improvement or research. Value is defined as the ratio between health outcomes or improvements achieved and resources and dollars spent. It can therefore be increased by improving outcomes, reducing costs, or both. We present information suggesting that PS/QI activities may impact both the numerator and denominator in the value ratio, with the potential for powerful effects on value in health care.

Recent Findings

We describe clinical and administrative strategies demonstrated to increase value across multiple subspecialties in otolaryngology.

Summary

PS/QI can improve both components of value in health care. Relatively simple interventions may have significant impact and serve as good starting points. Larger-scale changes may have even broader impact but may require more infrastructure investment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Mayo Clinic Children’s Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Karthik Balakrishnan

  2. American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Alexandria, VA, USA

    Jean Brereton

  3. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Samantha T. Cohen

  4. Health Care Quality and Affordability, Blue Shield of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Mimi S. Kokoska

  5. Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan School of Medicine, 1500 E Medical Center Dr., SPC 5312, 1904 Taubman Center, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5312, USA

    Michael J. Brenner

Authors
  1. Karthik Balakrishnan
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  2. Jean Brereton
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  3. Samantha T. Cohen
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  4. Mimi S. Kokoska
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  5. Michael J. Brenner
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael J. Brenner.

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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on SPECIAL TOPICS: Value based care in Otolaryngology

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Balakrishnan, K., Brereton, J., Cohen, S.T. et al. Optimizing Value in Otolaryngology Through Patient Safety and Quality Improvements. Curr Otorhinolaryngol Rep 6, 216–222 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40136-018-0216-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40136-018-0216-2

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