Published: February 28, 2019

Even a laryngosaurus can learn

Which one of today’s ideas will be tomorrow’s solutions? About 10 years ago, my home institution, the University of Washington Medical Center here in Seattle, served as the only U.S. site in the World Health Organization’s “Surgical Safety Saves Lives” pilot study of a standardized operating room checklist. I had been out of training for 10 years already and didn’t think much of this step other than that it was one more hassle.

Albert L. Merati, MD AAO-HNS/F Past President

Albert L. Merati, MD AAO-HNS/F Past PresidentAlbert L. Merati, MD
AAO-HNS/F Past PresidentAbout 10 years ago, my home institution, the University of Washington Medical Center here in Seattle, served as the only U.S. site in the World Health Organization’s “Surgical Safety Saves Lives” pilot study of a standardized operating room checklist. I had been out of training for 10 years already and didn’t think much of this step other than that it was one more hassle. You may have had the same experience in your OR. Burdensome, time-consuming, unnecessary—I have heard (and felt) all these concerns. I grumbled but slowly came around—a reluctant early adopter, you might say. Now I can’t imagine working without the checklist.

 What is next? Who will be the instigators, and who will be the early adopters of the next safety and quality idea? Perhaps it is you. As introduced by Everett Rogers, the concept of “diffusion of innovation” applies to much of what is around us as otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons, whether it is referring to a major paradigm shift such as endoscopic sinus surgery or a way of organizing and accessing an unparalleled amount of clinical data in the form of our American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation registry: Reg-entSM ENT Clinical Data Registry.

As we look at the value equation in twenty-first century medicine, improving medical safety and reducing harm and injury will be critical. The AAO-HNS/F offers many opportunities to learn and to lead in this area. The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee is perennially productive. Recent leaders include Drs. Rahul K. Shah, David W. Roberson, Emily F. Boss, and C.W. David Chang. When you are at the AAO-HNSF 2019 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in New Orleans, LA, September 15-18, come join in on the meeting. It is open to all members. Some of the Annual Meeting’s most popular sessions are about patient safety, and registration will be opening on the AAO-HNSF site in as soon as six weeks.

Depiction of Diffusion of Innovation theory.Depiction of Diffusion of Innovation theory.

The next major innovation in otolaryngology already is here: Reg-ent, the otolaryngologist-designed, otolaryngologist-driven, and otolaryngologist-owned clinical registry, allows for a universe of quality and safety initiatives beyond serving as our MIPS reporting instrument. As a participating otolaryngologist, you can access your own data extracted automatically through your electronic health record or, with the resources of our AAO-HNSF, work on a broader investigation of national trends and questions regarding sleep surgery, antibiotics for otitis, thyroidectomy, or any area in a vast array of data captured in Reg-ent.

Future quality and safety initiatives across medicine recognize cost—a key component in the value equation—but this will require us to open our minds to the innovation around us. Learn more about Reg-ent by talking to a colleague—any of the thousands of otolaryngologists already engaged in reporting—or by reaching out to the AAO-HNS at entnet.org/contact_us or 703-836-4444.

We all know what happened to the laryngosauruses.

More from March 2019 – Vol. 38, No. 2
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Tympanostomy tube placement
Out of Committee Uchechukwu C. Megwalu, MD; Scott E. Brietzke, MD, MPH; Jennifer J. Shin, MD, SM; Vikas Mehta, MD, Outcomes Research Evidence-Based Medicine Committee In this Bulletin segment, the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Outcomes Research and Evidence Based Medicine (OREBM) Committee shares highlights from a 2017 study: “Quinolone Ear Drops After Tympanostomy Tubes and the Risk of Eardrum Perforation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.”
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When the going gets tough, the tough get going
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Top 100 ENT services for 2019
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In September 2018, I accompanied the Medical Missions Foundation on a service trip to Gulu, Uganda. Under the supervision of Brandon Johnson, MD, we treated patients at Saint Mary’s Hospital Lacor in the clinic and performed surgeries during a week at the hospital.
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The 2018 Cleft Exchange in Lanzhou, Gansu, China
I had the opportunity to participate in the 2018 Cleft Exchange by Love without Boundaries from November 25, 2018, to November 30, 2018, in Lanzhou in Gansu, China. We were based at the Gansu Provincial Hospital.
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Ultrasound study adds value to Malindi, Kenya Mission
Thanks to the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Humanitarian Travel Grant Fund, I was able to travel to Malindi, Kenya, to participate in a two-week surgical training camp led by faculty from Vanderbilt University Medical Center. During this trip, I served in numerous roles for the surgical team with a primary goal of assisting in educating local surgeons who were involved in the training camp.
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Team helps 493 patients in Migori, Kenya
This past October, a team of two otolaryngologists, a general surgeon, and an orthopedic surgeon descended upon Migori in Southwestern Kenya to provide a week of surgical care for adult and pediatric patients. I was fortunate to accompany this team with the support of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Humanitarian Grant program.
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The CPOP Workshop is a three-phase training program designed to teach otolaryngology office personnel basic hearing testing that allows audiologists to focus on complex audiometric testing, advanced hearing, and balance services.
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From AcademyU, a New AcademyQ-2019 set now available!
400+ New Questions AcademyQ® is an excellent tool for test prep to enhance your knowledge of otolaryngology- head and neck surgery by assessing your recall, interpretation, and problem-solving skills. Mobile-app features include: Rationales for each question, additional reading references, images, and videos to enhance learning. The ability to highlight notes, add comments, and mark questions for future reference. 24/7 Access – anytime, anywhere from your phone, tablet or laptop. Visit www.entnet.org/academyq.
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New congress, new contacts
Successful legislative advocacy starts with a solid grassroots foundation. Members of Congress want to hear from their constituents—physicians and patients—about how healthcare decisions made on Capitol Hill affect them. American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery members have a powerful voice on a wide range of topics, including reimbursement issues, scope of practice expansions, and hearing health proposals.
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Touring New Orleans
New Orleans cuisine isn’t the only thing spicing up the city. America’s most authentic city, welcoming nearly 10 million visitors annually, New Orleans hosts major events such as Mardi Gras, Essence Music Festival, Jazz Fest, Super Bowls, and Final Four games, in addition to hundreds of prominent conventions.
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Welcome to New Orleans
Why wear a badge lanyard when you can wear beads? Registration opens in May. All AAO-HNS members receive a special registration rate. We are so excited to be back in New Orleans, Louisiana, for the AAO-HNSF 2019 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience, September 15-18!
James C. Denneny III, MD AAO-HNS/F EVP/CEO
AAO-HNS reviews and comments on the ABMS “Vision Initiative” draft recommendations
As if the medical community needed another pillar of uncertainty, the Continuing Board Certification: Vision for the Future Commission, created to review “continuing certification” within the context of medical practice, released their draft report with 15 numbered recommendations moving forward.