Research and Quality
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Research and Quality Business Unit goal is to develop products and services to meet the needs of our members, their staff, and their patients in support of the overarching organizational vision to be the global leader in optimizing quality ear, nose, and throat patient care.
Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, AAO-HNSF Coordinator, Research and Quality
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Research and Quality Business Unit goal is to develop products and services to meet the needs of our members, their staff, and their patients in support of the overarching organizational vision to be the global leader in optimizing quality ear, nose, and throat patient care. As demonstrated in the pages that follow, this objective is achieved through the expertise and voluntary commitment of our physicians. Special thanks and credit go to the Reg-entSM Executive Committee, the Clinical Advisory Committees, the Guidelines Leadership and Task Force, the Patient Safety/Quality Improvement Committee, the Outcomes, Research & Evidence-Based Medicine Committee, and the CORE leadership.
Several exciting research and quality initiatives commenced this past year. Patient reported outcomes (PROs) were fully integrated into Reg-ent and are currently being piloted with several Reg-ent practices. In addition, our specialty-specific clinical pathways for hearing loss, early oral cavity cancer, and allergic rhinitis were completed. These projects are timely and impactful in ensuring that our membership is poised for the anticipated Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) transition from the current MIPS model toward MIPS Value Pathways.
In addition, a partnership was finalized with OM1 that will lead us into Phase II of Reg-ent, allowing our robust national registry to serve as the basis for otolaryngology clinical research, to address product surveillance, and to provide a platform with additional data sources for internal and external research endeavors in support of the AAO-HNS/F mission. This exciting new phase harnesses the true power of data, allowing Reg-ent to reach its full potential as our national otolaryngology-head and neck surgery registry.
The articles to follow highlight the above initiatives along with several other impactful programs. Together these pages showcase the true breadth and depth of our Academy research and quality platform. Ultimately, these initiatives allow the AAO-HNS/F to be proactive and to adapt in meeting the ever-changing needs of our members and patients. Thanks to the great work of our Academy research and quality leaders as well as the support from staff, we are able to fulfill the mission of achieving excellence in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery care to our patients, in a manner that is evidence-based and of the highest quality care.
