Improving surgical outcomes through benchmarking

R. D. Staiger, H. Schwandt, M. A. Puhan, P. A. Clavien*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

95 Scopus citations

Abstract

Benchmarking is a popular quality-improvement tool in economic practice. Its basic principle consists of identifying the best (the benchmark), then comparing with the best, and learning from the best. In healthcare, the concept of benchmarking or establishing benchmarks has been less specific, where comparisons often do not target the best, but the average results. The goal, however, remains improvement in patient outcome. This article outlines the application of benchmarking and proposes a standard approach of benchmark determination in surgery, including the establishment of best achievable real-world postoperative outcomes. Parameters used for this purpose must be reproducible, objective and universal. A systematic approach for determining benchmarks enables self-assessment of surgical outcome and facilitates the detection of areas for improvement. The intention of benchmarking is to stimulate surgeons' genuine endeavour for perfection, rather than to judge centre or surgeon performance.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)59-64
Number of pages6
JournalBritish Journal of Surgery
Volume106
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2019

Funding

This study was supported by the LGID (Liver and Gastrointestinal Disease) Foundation and the Clinical Research and Priority Programme ‘Liver tumours’ from the University of Zurich, Switzerland (both to P.-A.C.). R.D.S. is the recipient of a grant/research funding from the Olga Mayenfisch Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland. Disclosure: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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