Does physician benchmarking improve performance of laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy?

Background: Benchmarking techniques were implemented to optimize operating time and charges associated with laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH). Materials and Methods: The baseline LAVH profile over a period of 4 years (167 cases) was compared with 1-year data (47 cases) after a benchmarking educational program (disseminating data ranking performance by each surgeon plus suggestions for improvement). Preintervention and postintervention profiles were compared by means of Student t test and wilcoxon rank sum analysis. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to identify additional sources of variation for operative charges and time. Results: Mean operating times after implementing benchmarking were lower, averaging 182 versus 197 minutes in the control subjects (P = 0.05). We found no significant difference in total or operative charges. After adjusting for potential confounders, benchmarking remained associated with decreased operating time in the multivariate model (P = 0.01). Conclusions: LAVH operating times decreased after a surgical benchmarking and education intervention, but operating charges did not.