MPH’s Cooper: Patient complaints helps identify surgeons with higher rates of bad surgical outcomes
Recording and analyzing patient and family reports about rude and disrespectful behavior can identify surgeons with higher rates of surgical site infections and other avoidable adverse outcomes, according to a study led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) investigators in collaboration with six other major academic health systems.
The study, published online Feb. 15 in the journal JAMA Surgery, examined de-identified data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) for 32,125 patients treated at one of seven health systems. The outcome data were correlated with patient and family reports of disrespectful and rude surgeon behavior as documented by the hospitals’ Offices of Patient Relations for a period of two years prior to the targeted surgical procedures.
“This study builds on more than 20 years of Vanderbilt research experience,” said lead author William Cooper, M.D., MPH, Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Pediatrics and director of the Vanderbilt Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy.