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How we do it: Implementing change – a multi‐centre audit of an evidence‐based protocol on post‐thyroidectomy calcium maintenance
Author(s) -
Gillett D.,
Fahmy F.,
Liew L.,
Massey S.,
Shotton J.C.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
clinical otolaryngology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.914
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1749-4486
pISSN - 1749-4478
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-4486.2006.01163.x
Subject(s) - medicine , audit , otorhinolaryngology , thyroidectomy , protocol (science) , clinical audit , thyroid , emergency medicine , surgery , alternative medicine , pathology , management , economics
Keypoints • Our previous retrospective audit ( Clinical Otolaryngology , December 2004) identified considerable variation in post‐thyroidectomy calcium assessment. This led to a well‐structured protocol. • The protocol was introduced into two trusts. The results were prospectively collated for 64 thyroid procedures over a period of 6 months. • All patients that warranted it were tested on day 1, and 71% were tested on day 2 – highlighting a more structured approach, and avoiding unnecessary vene‐ puncture in all thyroid lobectomy patients. • Such protocols have been proven to be an important tool in the effort to improve the quality and lower the cost of care. • Resistance to change, established practise and lack of data collection resources prevented this protocol from becoming established in more regional trusts.