- Data fields are systematic and coded (not free hand); are data are entered through selection of choices (preferred) or through free entry of text (avoid)?
- Is the section of data fields compliant with accepted standards? You will require a mix of generally and widely accepted outcomes that are valid across multiple specialities (e.g., PE, take back to the operating theatres) (preferred) and outcomes specific to your surgical procedure (e.g., vaginal vault dehiscence for hysterectomy) (preferred).
- Are the reports available 24/7 and clinically meaningful (preferred)? Are comparison reports, CUSUM graphs (to show changes over months and years) and Kaplan Meier curves (time to recurrence of a condition, e.g., urinary incontinence) available (preferred)?
- Can your data be downloaded onto your computer and you own your data (preferred) or does a third party “manage” your data (avoid)?
- What protection is in place to make your sensitive data safe against data break-in and abuse? Will data be stored on your device (avoid) or are data stored in the cloud (preferred)? Is the server marked as a secure server (https://) (preferred) or not (http://) (avoid)?. Is data transfer encrypted (preferred), in which case will an encryption certificate will be available upon request? Are your outcomes data protected in case someone gets access to your device?
- Will you be able to check how many procedures you have done? Can you compare your outcomes with others for benchmarking in numerical and graphical form? The more users populate your audit solution, the more meaningful and robust the comparison data will become (preferred).
- Can you use your software to capture patient-recorded outcomes (nausea, fatigue, pain) and patient satisfaction?
- Is the vendor of the audit tool driven by commercial interest (avoid), will keep a watchful eye on you as a professional standards body (avoid) or is the audit tool independent and its primary aim is to assist with your learning and development (preferred)?
- Can you claim CPD points with your College or professional organisation?
- Do you need multiple accounts to enter data from various hospitals that you visit (avoid) or can various hospitals come under one user account (preferred)?
SurgicalPerformance fulfils all criteria cited above and makes ongoing feedback easy, so that you know yours and your patients’ outcomes. If you consider SurgicalPerformance for your institution, please send us an email for a quote.