Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks are one of the most common complications of endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery, and are associated with significant morbidity and cost. A quality improvement program can be designed for individual surgeons or groups of surgeons to monitor outcomes and implement changes to decrease the risk of a postoperative CSF leak. Analytic tools include a root cause analysis, statistical analysis of risk factors, and predictive modeling. Monitoring of outcomes is accomplished with a time series plot or run chart. A circular action loop for assessing and implementing changes facilitates incremental progress and creates a learning culture for the institution.
Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.