The use of CUSUM chart method for surveillance of learning effects and quality of care in endovascular procedures

Introduction: Quality of care and learning effect surveillance are two mandatory responsibilities within a changing therapeutical paradigm. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and value of CUSUM chart method in assessing performance in consecutive endovascular procedures done by vascular surgeons o...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Calsina Juscafresa, Laura, Clará Velasco, Alberto, Vidal-Barraquer, Francesc
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2011
País:España
Institución:Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Repositorio:Repositorio Digital de la UPF
OAI Identifier:oai:repositori.upf.edu:10230/72123
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10230/72123
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejvs.2011.01.003
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Endovascular procedures
CUSUM
Learning curve
Quality of care
Descripción
Sumario:Introduction: Quality of care and learning effect surveillance are two mandatory responsibilities within a changing therapeutical paradigm. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and value of CUSUM chart method in assessing performance in consecutive endovascular procedures done by vascular surgeons of a single department on aorto-iliac, femoropopliteal and renal artery occlusive disease. Material and method: Data were collected in 405 consecutive patients, scheduled for endovascular intervention of aorto-iliac (n = 131, 32.3%), femoropopliteal (n = 142, 35%) and renal artery (n = 132, 32.7%) occlusive disease during a 6-year period. Quality indicators included inability to cross the lesion, peri- and post-procedural complications and significant residual stenosis or occlusion at 1 month. CUSUM curves were generated for each territory globally and according to each quality indicator. The relevance of curve upward inflections was evaluated with Fisher's Exact Test. Results: Failure to cross the lesion occurred in 6.9% (aorto-iliac), 10.6% (femoropopliteal) and 2.3% (renal) of patients. One-hundredth twenty aorto-iliac, 127 femoropopliteal and 132 renal angioplasties were finally performed. Peri- and post-procedural complications appeared in 14.5% (aorto-iliac), 9.2% (femoropopliteal) and 2.3% (renal), while significant residual stenosis or occlusion was seen in 0.8%, 4.9% and 2.3% of patients, respectively. Aorto-iliac CUSUM curve showed two upward inflections at the beginning and the end of the period, both associated with peri- and post-procedural complications (p = 0.002 and p = 0.0013) and the latter also with failure to cross the lesion (p = 0.009). Femoro-popliteal CUSUM curve moved progressively upward during all the period, initially related to peri- and post-procedural complications (p = 0.038) and later to failure to cross the lesion (p = 0.004). Renal CUSUM curve didn't show any upward inflection during the analysed period. Conclusion: CUSUM curves are an excellent tool for measuring learning effect and quality of care within a changing paradigm, such it is the case of endovascular interventions. Curve upward inflections can be further interpreted according to the type of "failure" thus helping to evaluate their underlying causes.