Parameters on the structural dimension of quality in academic departments of otorhinolaryngology in Germany

Publicly available systematic data for the comparison of quality in otorhinolaryngologic (ORL) hospitals is scarce. The quality dimensions process and outcome are not yet assessed or published systematically. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the available data on the structural dimension of quality in academic institutions.

In November 2019, we investigated 39 German academic ORL departments from 38 medical faculties. Data of the mandatory quality reports from 2010 and 2017 was retrieved. Information on certified interdisciplinary centers was also considered.

In 2017, the mean of inpatient cases was 3286.95±950.91 (1869–5441), with an increase of 1.2–50.2% in 18 hospitals and a decrease of 0.3–45.0% in 21 hospitals compared to 2010. The national total number of full-time physicians declined from 825.5 to 784.1 (-5.0%). A mean of 20.1±6.0 (10.2–36.2) physicians were employed at the single institutions. This corresponded to 167.9±51.2 (91.5-332.6) inpatients per physician in 2010 and 168.3±40.4 (92.5-308.9) in 2017. The rate of ORL-consultants was stable at 51.9±8.4% (35.1–70.1%). Certified head and neck oncologic centers were widely prevalent, and existed in 33 hospitals (84.6%). 17 hospitals (43,6%) were certified as an oncologic excellence center, either as single institutions or as a network. Certified interdisciplinary allergology, audiology, or skull base centers were existent in 8 (20.5%), 6 (15.4%), and 12 (30.8%) of the locations.

In conclusion, the present analysis exhibits a very heterogenic picture and disparate development of the available parameters. The comparability of the data source remains unclear. Evaluation of quality and productivity on basis of the present numbers should be discussed further.

Poster-PDF A-1629.PDF

Publication History

Article published online:
10 June 2020